Fats Waller
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Born

  • May 21, 1904
  • Waverly, NY

Died

  • December 15, 1943
  • near Kansas City, MO

Real Name

  • Thomas Waller

Children

  • Thomas, Jr.
  • Maurice
  • Ronald

Fats Waller

Fats Waller was undoubtedly one of the finest jazz pianists of all-time. Though he is best remembered today as the author of such popular compositions as ''Ain't Misbehavin''' and ''Honeysuckle Rose,'' he also bestowed upon the world a string of successful and lively recordings and worked on a number of Broadway shows. Sadly, though, Waller's career was cut short by an untimely death. There is little doubt that he had much more to contribute to the world of music than his brief lifespan allowed him to give.

The son of a preacher, Waller learned piano and organ early in life. As a youth he played in a school orchestra led by Edgar Sampson and took piano lessons from James P. Johnson. He made his first recording in 1922 and spent the rest of that decade performing in theaters and cabarets around New York City, Chicago, and Washington, DC. He also led his own trio in Philadelphia. In the late 1920s he established a relationship with lyricist Andy Razaf. The duo wrote many memorable tunes together, including the score for the Broadway musical Connie's Hot Chocolates, which featured Louis Armstrong.

In 1932 Waller began his own radio program, Fats Waller's Rhythm Club, on Cincinnati station WLW. The show proved popular and in 1934 he moved to New York and brought the program to CBS. Waller's big break came while performing at a party hosted by composer George Gershwin. An executive from Victor Records was impressed by his ability and, based upon the success of his radio show, signed him to a contract. With a small group of accompanying musicians, usually six, Waller recorded more than 400 often-humorous titles over the next eight years released under the name ''Fats Waller and His Rhythm.'' Waller also recorded independently for the Commodore label.

Over the next several years Waller toured the United States and Europe, performing on his own and briefly putting together a 13-piece orchestra in the early 1940s. The orchestra appeared mainly in theaters and made a few recordings. In 1942 Waller played Carnegie Hall.

Throughout his life Waller had a drinking problem as well as a weight problem. This combination took its toll on his health. Fats Waller died from pneumonia in 1943 while traveling on board a train near Kansas City.