THE LIFE OF FATS WALLER
Thomas “Fats” Waller grew up playing the reed organ for his father, a Baptist preacher who did services for the local Harlem community. At the age of 16, Fats mother died and he moved in with his pianist friend Russell B. T. Brooks, rejecting his father’s religious ways.
Russell B. T. Brooks became Waller’s tutor and Waller started learning the piano right away. While working as an organist at the Lincoln and Lafayette theaters, Fats began recording and publishing his works. Among the first were Wild Cat’s Blues and Squeeze Me which began Waller’s reputation as a composer for other notable artists including: Clarence Williams and his Blue Five and Sidney Bechet.
Fats collaborated with many famous artists of the 1930’s but his solo recordings Handful of Keys, Smashing Thirds, Numb Fumblin', and Valentine Stomp were what set him apart from the rest. In these recordings he truly showcased the talents and wonder of the stride piano* technique. Later Waller went on to record with his own group called Fats Waller and his Rhythm this group routinely consisted of: Herman Autrey, Gene Sedric, or Rudy Powell, and Al Casey.
For the latter half of his career Waller travelled. He first spent time at the New Cotton Club on the West Coast. There, he and his Rhythm recorded a version of I’ve Got Rhythm featuring a cutting contest (a piano battle) between Fats and Hank Duncan. While in the Hollywood area he appeared in two movies, Horray for Love! and King of Burlesque. Fortunately this was not his last appearance on film, Waller would be in the infamous film Stormy Weather with Lena Horne.
Fats Waller went on a tour of Europe in 1938 where he recorded both organ and piano solos. He was scheduled for an additional tour in 1939, but this tour was cancelled due to war. Instead, Waller used his time in London to compose and record one of his most sophisticated pieces: his London Suite. This was a single piano solo comprised of six separate, but related, pieces.
The last few years of Waller’s life were in the United States. In 1943 he had an influx of recordings, tours, and projects—including the collaborating on the score for the stage show Early to Bed with George Marion, Jr. Waller was known for his appetite for pleasures- earning him the nickname “Fats”. Overdosing on both work and pleasure, Waller became in a trip to the West Coast. He passed from pneumonia on the way back to New York.
Fats Waller a truly progressive and talented soul, made his mark on the world. He filled the room with not only his laughter and joy, but also with beautiful, touching, and lively music that would last well past his short lived life.
*Stride piano: Sometimes referred to as jazz piano, is a complex piano playing which uses the length of the keyboard an intricate syncopated rhythms.
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_waller_fats.htm