Fats+Waller

Fats Waller Fats Waller was a very talented guy he played piano, organ, he sung, and he was a profile composer. He was born in May of 1904 in New York. His parents were Baptist and moved to Harlem when the church did. He died in 1943 due to his health. Before he died he made a musical legacy that still lives on today.

He married twice once to Hatchet and another time to Ruthford. He never went to college because he dropped out to pursue his musical career. He didn’t win any awards for his work but it was greatly appreciated. He struck a blow against racism with his amazing movie the kings of burlesque. He was also part of the Harlem rent party where he played music to help the other African Americans to raise rent and not get evicted. Another thing he did was get even white people to enjoy his music so he played a big part in the Harlem renaissance. He wrote many songs along with playing them. He learned how to play from other great musicians. When he got divorced the first time he was supposed to pay alimony payments, which he didn’t resulting in him having to spend nights in jail. He had one kid from hatchet along with two kids from ruthford. He also made the show early in bed which was a big hit. He wrote the song aint misbehaving, honeysuckle rose, and black and blue.

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Fats Waller was born in New York on May 21, 1904. His real name is Thomas Wright. His father was a Baptist minister, and his mom was a musician who played and taught piano and organ. He played piano, bass, and violin. Later he devoted himself to the keyboard. To pay for music lessons he had to work. He had many jobs. He worked in a grocery store. Later he played the theater’s pipe organ after he got good enough. He attended Dewitt Clinton High School but quit after a year. He wanted to pursue a career in jazz. His father was distressed because he wanted him to be a clergyman. In 1920 his mother died of diabetes. He couldn’t get himself to go back to the house, so he moved in with his friend Russel Brook. He buried his grief in his friend’s player piano. Russel saw his devotion and talent, and arranged a meeting between Fats and Johnson. Johnson became his mentor and teacher for the next two years. He began his recording in 1922. Later he married Edith Hatchet, but got divorced in 1922. She was a devout Christian, and didn’t approve of Fats‘s drinking and coming home late. Later he got married again to Anita Rutherford who bore him two sons, Maurice and Ronald. He refused to pay alimony to Edith. Later he became the first jazz soloist. His music was popular everywhere, even among racist white people. He got the year’s Best Broadway Musical in 1978. He died in 1943. To hear some of Fats's music [|click here]. sources: Smith, Jessie. Notable Black American Men. 27500 Drake RD: Gale Reasearch, 1998. Print "Waller, Thomas Wright (1904-1943)." Encyclopedia of World Biography n.p.2/15/11 Bush, John. "Song Review ."n.p.,All Music. Web. 2/16/11