The Real "Fats" Waller: Volume 3 (1927-1929) • Jazz, Blues, and Stride Piano

Although primarily known for his comical acts & piano masterworks, a particular Waller virtue unaccounted for is his groundbreaking work as a mastermind organist. Having been exposed to the massive instrument through this childhood church, Waller learned how to tame the beast and make it bend to his will-- upon countless nights of sneaking in to play during after hours. Though fond of church hymns & spirituals, Harlem's growing Jazz scene would also catch his attention, leading Waller to become the first to successfully record such on pipe organ. (And if anything more, to make one swing!)

Following his instinctive passion, Waller would go on to record an astonishing 73 sides on a variety of pipe organs from 1926 up to 1939, most of which are featured in this video! Apart from his most notable organ work, Volume 3 also takes a quick peek into 1929, one of Waller's most developmental years that would produce his first major hits!
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About Waller: Virtuoso pianist, organist, and grand entertainer, Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller was a major figure in the development of U.S. entertainment. Serving as a protégé under legends James P. Johnson & Willie "the Lion" Smith, Waller achieved critical commercial success in both the U.S. and across Europe as a hot band leader & solo act. Waller was additionally a prolific songwriter, with many of his own compositions becoming Jazz standards such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" (1929) & "Honeysuckle Rose" (1929), often in collaboration with his longtime lyrical partner Andy Razaf.

Native to New York, Waller found early exposure to music in through his family's church, mainly to the credit of his mother. With a major interest in the organ, Waller's first audience was his own congregation, reciting hymns & instrumentals to the best of his ability. Taking note of said interest, Waller's mother soon hired a piano tutor to have him formally instructed in how to read & write music, in which he soon excelled in. After each lesson however, it would not be long before he steered away from his studies to experiment with Jazz, the newest musical sensation to take America by storm.

Though continuously supported by his mother, Waller's father greatly disapproved Waller's new "antics," hoping he would instead follow a religious calling on the organ if nothing else. After years of tension between the two regarding Waller's career choice, it was evident what path he would choose by 1920, following the death of his mother due to a diabetic stroke. Losing his greatest supporter at the age of 14, Waller soon moved out to board with Russell Brooks, a close friend and mentor of his who later introduced him to legendary pianist James P. Johnson. Fond of his eagerness to learn, James P. took Waller in as his protégé, further introducing the young boy to Willie "the Lion" Smith to enhance his musical education.

By the age of 15, Waller found work at Harlem's Lincoln Theatre, running it's organ for $23 a week. Three years later in 1922, his first sides were already cut under the Okeh label as a soloist, all before producing a number of popular piano rolls a year later under QRS. As soon as 1926 came around, Waller's career had officially taken off when he became contracted with RCA Victor, recording more than 400 sides between 1926-1943. Propelling himself into fame with the help of his "Rhythm" (Band formed in 1934), Waller became one of America's top swing artists alongside forming the "big three" in Stride piano with James P. & Willie "the Lion."
Biography continued in pinned comment below.
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Timestamps:
0:00:00 - Savannah Blues (1927) [w/ Morris' Hot Babies]
0:03:20 - Hog Maw Stomp (1927)
0:06:36 - Loveless Love (1927)
0:09:50 - Stompin' the Bug (1927)
0:13:12 - Sugar (1927)
0:16:22 - Beale Street Blues (1927)
0:19:35 - Won't You Take Me Home? (1927) [w/ MHB]
0:22:30 - He's Gone Away (1927) [w/ MHB]
0:25:19 - I Ain't Got Nobody (1927)
0:28:35 - Geechee (1927) [w/ MHB]
0:31:55 - Willow Tree (1928) [w/ Lousiana Sugar Babes]
0:35:28 - Thou Swell (1928) [w/ LSB]
0:38:38 - Sweet Savannah Sue (1929)
0:41:48 - I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling (1929)
0:44:47 - Valentine Stomp (1929)
0:48:10 - Waitin' at the End of the Road (1929)
0:51:43 - Baby, Oh Where Can You Be? (1929)
0:55:10 - Tanglefoot (1929)
0:58:30 - That's All (1929)
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Music composed, arranged, and/or performed by Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller, and performed via the original Victor TMC recordings.

This video is solely for the purposes of compiling and sharing the music of Thomas Waller and in no way or means is being used for monetary purposes.