Fats Waller

The father of jazz piano.

Founded

May 21, 1904, New York, NY

Full Name

Thomas Wright Waller

Date of Birth

May 21, 1904, New York, NY

Still Alive

Date of Death

December 15, 1943, Kansas City, MO

Influenced By

Edgar Sampson, James P. Johnson, Carl Bohm, Leopold Godowsky

Later Influenced

Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Fats Domino

Fats Waller.

About The artist

One of the most successful entertainers of his generation, Fats Waller laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. He is credited with composing over 400 songs, including "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose."

Did you know...

In 1926, after leaving the Sherman Hotel in Chicago, Waller was kidnapped by four burly men. He was taken to Al Capone's Hawthorne Inn, where he was ordered to play for the famous mob boss's birthday celebration.