A Brief Biography of Fats Waller 

By Marissa L. Friedman, adapted from the All Music Guide to Jazz edited by Michael Erlewine, Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, and Scott Yanow

Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller was born on May 21, 1904 in New York City to a Baptist preacher and his wife. Waller began playing the piano at the age of six, and played in the school orchestra. Upon the death of his mother when he was fourteen years old, Waller moved in with pianist Russell Brooks. Through Brooks he met and studied with pianist James P. Johnson. Waller’s career began with his first record, “Birmingham Blues”/ “Muscle Shoals Blues” for OKeh in 1922 at age eighteen; he backed many blues singers and made a living playing at rent parties (house parties), in movie theaters and clubs. In the early and mid-1920s, Waller formed a musical alliance with lyricist Andy Razal, with whom he created three Broadway shows in the late 1920s: Keep Shufflin’, Load of Coal and Hot Chocolates.

Waller began recording with his band, His Rhythm, in 1934, producing such hits as “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “The Joint is Jumpin’” and “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter.” In 1935 he appeared in the films "Hooray for Love" and "King of Burlesque" and continued to appear in films, as well as made radio appearances, throughout the 1930s. The early 1940s was a whirlwind of touring the United States, which produced the musical Early to Bed, as well as numerous other recordings. This busy lifestyle of touring, performing and partying led to excessive drinking and eating. Waller, known for his voracious appetite for life (hence his nickname, Fats) let these indulgences take a toll on his health. In December of 1943 Waller fell ill during a show at the Zanzibar Room in Hollywood. Trying to return to his native New York City, he boarded the Santa Fe Chief train for the trip back; Waller never made it, succumbing to pneumonia on December 15, 1943 aboard the train at Union Station in Kansas City.

He is remembered as one of the greatest jazz pianists, and even more frequently for his exuberance and infectious comic personality.