Fats+Waller

by Jardai, Grade 6

Thomas Wright Waller was born on May 21, 1904 in New York City. When he was born his father was a Baptist minister. Thomas Waller played the piano at his school talent shows when he was a kid. When he was a teenager he played the organ at different Harlem Theaters.

When Thomas “Fats” Waller was growing up he studied stride piano with Russell Brooks and James P. Johnson. Waller played at rent parties and nightclubs. Rent parties were when you would come to a party and bring money to the owner. At the end of the party the owner would have enough money to pay rent.

Thomas wrote pieces of music for shows and revues. He played with a composer named Andy Razaf. Andy and Thomas made songs like Honey Suckle Rose, What Did I Do to be Black and Blue, and Misbehaving. Honey Suckle Rose was made in 1928 and What Did I Do To Be Black and Blue and Misbehaving were made in 1929. A year after that Thomas “Fats” Waller toured the United States and Europe with his own band. On April 12,1928 Waller became the first soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall. Later on Thomas died in a train from a heart attack media type="youtube" key="PSNPpssruFY" width="420" height="315"