Happy Birthday to pianist, composer, genre shaper, and singer Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (b. May 21, 1904, in New York City, NY), who simultaneously excelled as a music creator and popular entertainer. He also started early, learning to play piano at age six and later dropping out of high school to work as a movie theater organist. As a young man, he vitally contributed to the building of Harlem’s vibrant jazz scene. He consistently added to his impressive body of work. As pianist Michael Lipskin writes: “Fats Waller cut his first solos in 1922 and made records every year—except 1932—until his death [in 1943]. By 1934, the pianist’s audience was large enough to convince RCA Victor to sign him to an exclusive contract, furthering his recording activity from then on.” He also took what he did very seriously. Lipskin adds: “In all his work there was an underlying seriousness and self-respect for what he was doing.” This extended to taking a stand against racism. For example, in his film appearances he refused to portray Black characters based on outdated tropes.
Citations: Michael Lipskin, “Foreword,” in Fats Waller, eds. Maurice Waller and Anthony Calabrese (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2017 [1977]), Kindle edition; Alan Fisher, “[Fats Waller, three-quarter length portrait, seated at piano, facing front] / World Telegram & Sun photo by Alan Fisher,” photograph (location unknown, 1938), https://lccn.loc.gov/99403374.
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