Fats Waller

1904 - 1943

Thomas Fats Waller young
Thomas « Fats » Waller was first drawn to music by listening to the organ in his local church, his father being a clergyman. He hence learnt to play the organ at a very early age and it was in mastering such a complex musical instrument that he was subsequently able to develop a strong command of the piano. He in fact remained very fond of the organ for the rest of his life and was the first person to use one in jazz sessions.

After his mother died and a quarrel with his father, Fats lived a time to James P. Johnson's, a great figure of stride piano in Harlem who will give him strong piano lessons. His first recorded in 1922 at the age of 18. He recorded two blues (Muscle Shoals Blues and Birmingham Blues) these constituting his first solo piano pieces. His relaxed technique and artistry already showed how he was comfortable with recording sessions.


Fats Waller - Saint Louis Blues


Fats Waller at the organ Thereafter, Fats worked with various blues singers (like Caroline Johnson and Sara Martin) and produced a number of piano "rolls", a popular way of listening to music in those days before records came on the scene. His meeting with the lyricist Andy Razaf will be decisive, and they will form a prolific duet in songs composition. During the first years of their collaboration, they often sold for almost nothing, songs which would become great hits.

In the 20's, piano records had a great success and Fats was therefore able to record many stride piano solos in 1929. These recording sessions include some original compositions among the most famous of the pianist : Handful Of Keys, Sweet Savannah Sue, Smashing Thirds, Numb Fumblin'.

Fats Waller & His Rhythm

In 1934 Fats formed his own orchestra "Fats Waller & His Rhythm". This was a huge success ans he recorded more than 400 titles with this ensemble. Fats became a famous musician and appeared regularly on radio. He was one of the first jazz musicians to have a regular radio show. Whilst alive, although being much appreciated by the public for his entertainment and great spontaneity, Fats Waller was often seen more as a clown and an entertainer than a real jazz musician. This was always somewhat upsetting to him. However, we can see through his many recordings that he could be very serious and was an inspired and talented musician who created some beautiful pieces of poetic music.


Fats Waller - Go Down Moses


Fats Waller Smiles
As many other geniuses, Fats Waller was gone too soon. He died from pneumonia one evening of December, in a train taking him back from the west. He was only 39 years old and at the peak of his fame. Fats Waller remains one of the most iconic jazz pianist. The perfection of his phrasing, the originality of his "swing" seem naturally obvious : an iron left hand supported a solid rhythmic, imagination and strange sounds that we can often hear over « riffs » weaved in the keyboard. Here is what characterizes the spontaneity and exuberance of this unique personality and one of the finest musician in jazz history.

Fats Waller transcriptions

Piano solo transcriptions

African Ripples Buy
Ain't Misbehavin' Buy
Alligator Crawl (1934) Buy
Alligator Crawl (1935) Buy
Baby Oh, Where Can You Be ? (Take 1) Buy
Baby Oh, Where Can You Be ? (Take 2) Buy
Basin Street Blues Buy
Because Of Once Upon a Time Buy
Birmingham Blues Buy
Blue Black Bottom Buy
Blue, Turning Grey Over You Buy
California Here I Come Buy
Carolina Shout (Take 1) Buy
Carolina Shout (Take 2) Buy
Clothesline Ballet Buy
Down Home Blues Buy
E-Flat Blues Buy
Georgia On My Mind Buy
Gladyse (Take 1) Buy
Gladyse (Take 2) Buy
Goin' About (Take 1) Buy
Goin' About (Take 2) Buy
Hallelujah Buy
Hallelujah (1943 acetate) Buy
Hallelujah (Yacht Club version) Buy
Handful Of Keys Buy
Honeysuckle Rose Buy
Honeysuckle Rose Buy
I Ain't Got Nobody Buy
I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling (Take 1) Buy
I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling (Take 2) Buy
I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling (Take 3) Buy
Intermezzo Buy
Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now Buy
London Suite - I. Piccadilly Buy
London Suite - II. Chelsea Buy
London Suite - III. Soho Buy
London Suite - IV. Bond Street Buy
London Suite - V. Limehouse Buy
London Suite - VI. Whitechapel Buy
Love Me Or Leave Me (Take 1) Buy
Love Me Or Leave Me (Take 2) Buy
Martinique Buy
Muscle Shoals Blues Buy
My Fate Is In Your Hands Buy
My Feelings Are Hurt Buy
Numb Fumblin' Buy
Poor Butterfly Buy
Ring Dem Bells Buy
Rockin' Chair Buy
Russian Fantasy Buy
Saint Louis Blues Buy
Smashing Thirds Buy
Stardust Buy
Sweet Savannah Sue Buy
Tea For Two Buy
Then You'll Remember Me Buy
Turn On The Heat Buy
Valentine Stomp (Take 1) Buy
Valentine Stomp (Take 2) Buy
Viper's Drag Buy
Waiting At The End Of The Road (Take 1) Buy
Waiting At The End Of The Road (Take 2) Buy
Waltz from "Faust" (Gounod) Buy
You're the top Buy
Zonky Buy

Piano accompaniment transcriptions

(I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My) Sister Kate Buy
(I’m Gonna See You) When Your Troubles Are Just Like Mine Buy
Ain’t Got Nobody To Grind Ma Coffee Buy
Anything That Happens Just Pleases Me Buy
I've Got The Joogie Blues Buy
I’m Cert’ny Gonna See ‘Bout That Buy
Last Go Round Blues Buy
Mama’s Got The Blues Buy
Mama’s Losin’ A Mighty Good Chance Buy
Maybe Someday Buy
My Old Daddy’s Got A Brand-New Way To Love Buy
Stingaree Blues Buy
The Henderson Stomp Buy
Trixie Blues Buy
West Indies Blues Buy
What’s The Matter Now? Buy
You Get Mad Buy
You Got Ev’ry Thing A Sweet Mama Needs But Me Buy
‘Tain’t Nobody’s Bus’ness If I Do Buy

Solos rhythm section transcriptions