The life of Thomas 'Fats' Waller as told by his son, Maurice. Waller was famous for his reckless energy, bottomless capacity for food and drink, and prodigious talents as composer, entertainer and piano stylist.

His story is the story of the Harlem rent parties where jazz flourished in the 1920s, of Tin Pan Alley, "race records", a stormy marriage, some outrageous adventures - including a hair-raising encounter with Al Capone - the desparate years of selling songs for the price of a drink, the countless jazz clubs and one-night stands, and his rise to the top of the American jazz world.

It's also the story of a generation of jaz legends: James P. Johnson, who taught Fats the Harlem stride piano style, Duke Ellington, Count basie, Louis Armstrong, irving Berlin, Eubie Blake, Eddie Condon, Willie 'The Lion' Smith, George Gershwin and many others.

A listing of recording dates and personnel is provided.

CONTENTS:
The Waller Family Background; Harlem Nightlife; Death of his Mother; James P. Johnson and Willie 'The Lion' Smith; Fats Marries Edith; Fats and the Music Publishers; Second Wife and Captain Maines; Fats writes Keep Shufflin'; Fats writes Load of Coal; A Recording Regular for RCA; Work for WWL; Succesful Composer and Recording Artist; Buster Shepherd Remembers the Good and the Bad Times; Fats at his Peak as a Recording Artist and Songwriter; Maurice remembers his Father; The Death of Fats.
Recording Dates & Personnel; Waller's Published Songs; Waller's Unpublished Songs; Waller's Piano Rolls; Song Arrangements.

back to previous page