Thomas “Fats” Waller was a legendary stride pianist, a wildly entertaining comedic singer, and the composer of such classic melodies as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and hundreds more. This is the intimate, behind-the-scenes story of his exuberant life, as told by his son, Maurice Waller. The public knew him as a charming, rascally, and effervescent showman. Friends like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Irving Berlin, and George Gershwin knew him as a serious piano stylist and composer. Maurice Waller reveals the rarely seen side of Fats as a family man, struggling to juggle domestic affairs with the demands of being one of the era’s busiest jazz men. From his earliest days as a child prodigy to his wild nights playing Harlem rent parties to his appearances on stages around the world and his eventual commercial success, it’s all here. Few stories capture the frenetic energy of the age quite as well as the life story of this rollicking, hard living jazz icon.

Already known as a Wagner scholar for his work on the sketches of the Flying Dutchman, Paul Machlin has for many years taken a scholarly interest in the school of Harlem 'stride' jazz pianists. Stride: The Music of Fats Waller is a full analysis of the piano music of Waller as composer, soloist and recording artist. 38 music examples illustrate Waller's complex keyboard style and improvisatory techniques. The discussion of Waller's piano music is set in the context of a biographical study, and a discography listing all known recordings by the pianist.

Presents a selection of 150 jazz standards arranged for piano, voice, and guitar. This work includes the songs: Ain't Misbehavin', Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Fly Me To The Moon, God Bless' The Child, I'm Beginning To See The Light, My Funny Valentine, Satin Doll, Stella By Starlight, Witchcraft, Unforgettable, and more.

(Piano Solo Personality). The 2nd edition now features 16 of Waller's best, including: African Ripples * Ain't Misbehavin' * Alligator Crawl * Clothes Line Ballet * E-Flat Blues * Gladyse * Handful of Keys * Honeysuckle Rose * I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling * Keepin' Out of Mischief Now * My Feelings Are Hurt * Numb Fumblin' * Russian Fantasy * Smashing Thirds * Valentine Stomp * Viper's Drag.

Definitive history traces the genre's growth and diversification from its 19th-century origins through its heyday and modern revival. Discusses 48 major composers and 800 rags. More than 100 photos.

“WhateverTom Piazza writes is touched with magic." —Douglas Brinkley Acclaimed author Tom Piazza follows hisprize-winning novel City of Refuge and the post-Katrinaclassic Why New Orleans Matters with a dynamic collection ofessays and journalism about American music and American character, in DevilSent the Rain. “TomPiazza’s writing is filled with energy, and with tender, insightful words forthe brilliant and irascible, from Jimmy Martin to Norman Mailer. Time and timeagain, Piazza identifies the unlikely, precious connections between recentevents, art, letters, and music; through his words, these byways of popularculture provide an unexpected measure of the times.” —Elvis Costello

The Swing Movement -- all jazz hands and high-waisted pants -- advanced and receded in good order. I wrote this book to tell the other side of the story. I want you to know about the oddball collection of iconoclasts who got together and made the Squirrel Nut Zippers what they were: a combustible, improbable gumbo of joy and menace. Along the way, I write about our many influences: jazz and blues and hot music and calypso and, yes, swing. Come run these fields, like rabbits, while the harvest moon hangs caught in the branches. Come linger over this snapshot.