In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument
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Fats Waller
Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. His best-known compositions, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose", were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999. Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many of them co-written with his closest collaborator, Andy Razaf. Razaf described his partner as "the soul of melody... a man who made the piano sing... both big in body and in mind... known for his generosity... a bubbling bundle of joy". It's possible he composed many more popular songs and sold them to other performers when times were tough. Waller started playing the piano at the age of six, and became a professional organist aged 15. By the age of 18 he was a recording artist. Waller's first recordings, "Muscle Shoals Blues" and "Birmingham Blues", were made in October 1922 for Okeh Records. That year, he also made his first player piano roll, "Got to Cool My Doggies Now". Waller's first published composition, "Squeeze Me", was published in 1924. He became one of the most popular performers of his era, touring internationally and achieving critical and commercial success in the United States and Europe. He died from pneumonia, aged 39. |
Arrangements | Trax CDs
Trax Recordings
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Darmon Meader : Honeysuckle Rose This Grammy Hall of Fame song by Fats Waller is a standard in both the American popular song and jazz idiom. New York Voices mastermind Darmon Meader has created an arrangement that covers both of these areas with a new version for women. 
Fats Waller : Ain't Misbehavin' In 1929, Fats Waller made this a standard and, in 1984, it won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award. Today, this new and lively arrangement has an upbeat piano accompaniment along with superb (optional) instrumental parts that add to the swingin' vocals. Arranged for mixed as well as women's voices, this is sure to be a hit!
Larry Shackley : Handful of Keys A terrific four-hand piano version of this showstopper from the musical Ain't Misbehavin'. The lyrics alone are spectacular. And with the great choral writing and piano accompaniment, well, it's a knockout! Showcase your accompanists on this one, or use the SoundTrax CD. Bring the spirit of the legendary Fats Waller to your next concert with this outstanding choral arrangement.
Larry Shackley : Ain't Misbehavin' Here's a jammin' and jivin', red hot, razzmatazz setting of the title song from the musical Ain't Misbehavin', just perfect for show, jazz, or concert choirs. |
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