The Very Best Of Fats Waller (Collectors' Choice) (CD)

New York-born Thomas "Fats" Waller was an astonishingly inventive stride piano player and one of the great showmen of jazz. In addition to his own enormously successful career, he also worked with such greats as Fletcher Henderson, Jack Teagarden, and Lee Wiley. As Waller gained greater popularity in the 1930s--having already written hits such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose"--his vocal shtick and outrageous mugging almost overshadowed his instrumental genius. But his skill at the keyboards (he was also a gifted organist) was always in evidence, filling all his work with an infectious exuberance. The popular 1979 Broadway Musical AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' brought his rollicking compositions to a new generation.

• Category:  Music  »  Jazz  »  Piano
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: December 15, 2004
• Label: Collectors' Choice
• UPC: 617742014129
• WAPI (Tower ID): 106454602
• Average Customer Review: There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!
• Tower.com Sales Rank: #15716 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #981 in Jazz (See Top 100 Jazz Bestsellers)
• #128 in Piano (See Top 100 Piano Bestsellers)

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Personnel includes: Fats Waller (vocals, piano, pipe organ); Rudy Powell (alto saxophone, clarinet, reeds); Gene Sedric (tenor saxophone, clarinet, reeds); Herman Autrey, Charlie Gaines, Bunny Berigan (trumpet); Thomas Morris (cornet); Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Irvis, Floyd O'Brien (trombone); Mezz Mezzrow, Ben Whittet (clarinet); Al Casey, James Smith, Dick McDonough (guitar); Eddie Condon (banjo); Billy Taylor, Charles Turner, Cedric Wallace (bass); George Wettling, Eddie King, Harry Dial, Arnold Boling, Yank Porter, Slick Jones (drums).

Compilation producers: Gordon Anderson, Scott Yanow.

Recorded between 1927 and 1942. Includes liner notes by Scott Yanow.

The most renowned performer working in the "Harlem stride" piano style of the 1920s and '30s, Fats Waller became more famous than contemporaries James P. Johnson and Willie "The Lion" Smith, thanks, in large part, to both his lively, almost cartoon-like persona and his knack for writing timeless tunes. Evidence of both qualities can readily be found on this excellent 24-track collection, which spans Waller's entire recording career, and includes the self-penned classics "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," and "The Jitterbug Waltz," along with many other songs that showcase his exuberant vocals and energetic piano playing. As an introduction to the beloved showman, THE VERY BEST OF FATS WALLER is difficult to top.

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