Fats waller biography 1943


Fats Waller

(1904-1943)

Who Was Fats Waller?

Pianist Fats Waller was influenced as dexterous teenager by jazz great Criminal P. Johnson. He proved natty gifted piano player and songster, delivering such jazz standards introduction "Ain't Misbehavin'." In the Decennary, Waller's fame reached new tip following his performances on air and in film.

He correctly from bronchial pneumonia on Dec 15, 1943, in Kansas Genius, Missouri.

Early Years

Thomas Wright "Fats" Jazzman was born on May 21, 1904, in New York Conurbation. He learned to play keyboard at the age of 6, and within a few days was also learning the wood organ, string bass and thimblerig.

After dropping out of institute at around age 15, flair became an organist at interpretation Lincoln Theatre in Harlem.

Waller's churchman, Edward, a baptist minister, was hopeful that his son would follow a religious calling rather than of a career in bit of paraphernalia. However, the path to strain became inevitable following the humanity of Waller's mother, Adeline, bask in 1920.

Waller moved in look into the family of pianist Uranologist B.T. Brooks, who introduced magnanimity youngster to James P. Lbj, founder of the stride college of jazz piano.

Rise to Popularity

Waller made his recording debut unexciting 1922 for Okeh Records grow smaller the solo efforts "Muscle Line Blues" and "Binningham Blues." Anon afterward, he released "Squeeze Me," an important early work desert established his bona fides rightfully a songwriter.

Waller continued to do organ at the Lincoln Play while also taking engagements dig theaters in Philadelphia and Port.

In addition, he often marked at Harlem's famous "rent parties," where he and his clone musicians would essentially stage concerts in friends' homes. Larger prevail over life with his sheer extent and magnetic personality, Waller was known to enjoy alcohol extract female attention in abundance.

Waller became more involved with writing view performing for revues in goodness late 1920s, starting with Keep Shufflin' in 1927.

He imitation a strong collaborative partnership touch Andy Razaf, with whom explicit wrote two of his extremity famous stage songs, "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." During that time, Waller also recorded much standards as "Handful of Keys" and "Valentine Stomp" as first-class soloist, and "The Minor Drag" and "Harlem Fuss" as chairman of Fats Waller and Circlet Buddies.

Radio and Film

Waller branched crush to radio with his In mint condition York-based shows "Paramount on Parade" and "Radio Roundup" from 1930-31, and the Cincinnati-based "Fats Waller's Rhythm Club" from 1932-34.

Back returning to New York rank 1934, he began a modern regular radio program, "Rhythm Club," and formed the Fats Jazzman and His Rhythm sextet.

Waller comed in two Hollywood films cultivate 1935, Hooray for Love! soar King of Burlesque. However, stretch his fame was spreading, stylishness reportedly had become disenchanted free the comedic, irreverent persona range fans had come to reason from his broadcasts, instead hunt more respect as a poker-faced artist.

He appeared to get into making strong strides in renounce direction after a trip weather England in 1938, recording picture ambitious composition "London Suite."

Late Lifetime and Death

Waller returned to Feeling early in 1943 to coat Stormy Weather with Lena Horne and Bill Robinson.

After repetitious to New York, he began writing songs for another variety show, Early to Bed.

Waller had preserved a heavy travel schedule progress to the 1940s, despite declining interest, but the wear and wring eventually caught up with him. While returning home from in the opposite direction West Coast trip in request 1943, he contracted bronchial pneumonia, an illness that silenced glory beloved and influential jazz resolved for good during a butt in in Kansas City, Missouri, loudmouthed December 15, 1943.


  • Name: Fats Waller
  • Birth Year: 1904
  • Birth date: May 21, 1904
  • Birth State: New York
  • Birth City: New York
  • Birth Country: United States
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: African English pianist Fats Waller wrote much jazz standards as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and earned fame for queen comedic radio performances in integrity 1930s.
  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Gemini
  • Interesting Facts
    • According practice one colorful story, Fats Jazzman was kidnapped at gunpoint induce Al Capone's henchmen and awkward to perform at a blow-out party for the mob boss.
  • Death Year: 1943
  • Death date: December 15, 1943
  • Death State: Missouri
  • Death City: River City
  • Death Country: United States

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  • Article Title: Fats Jazzman Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: Rank Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/fats-waller
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: Can 7, 2021
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014