Fats Waller (1904-1943) was a pianist, organist, songwriter, and entertainer whose virtuosity and wit defined the stride piano tradition and helped shape American jazz and popular music. Born Thomas Wright Waller in New York, he composed hundreds of songs, many of them standards that remain central to the jazz repertoire, and recorded prolifically across multiple styles including swing, stride piano, and novelty numbers that showcased his gift for comedic timing and showmanship.
Waller's influence extends far beyond his own era. His approach to composition balanced harmonic sophistication with accessible melody, and his recorded performances reveal a musician equally comfortable with technical display and intimate groove. Educators value his work because it demonstrates how jazz standards can be both musically substantial and genuinely fun to perform.
