Fats Waller

USA, 1922–1943

Stride piano virtuoso and comic entertainer. 'Ain't Misbehavin'' remains a jazz standard.

MusicRoots documents 1 artist who influenced Fats Waller and 5 artists Fats Waller influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Fats Waller?

• James P. Johnson — James P. Johnson was the young Waller's personal stride-piano teacher — a documented mentorship that launched Fats's career.

Which artists did Fats Waller influence?

• Art Tatum — Tatum identified Fats Waller as his biggest influence — the stride foundation his virtuosity was built on and then transcended.
• The Durutti Column — Waller was among the stride pianists Reilly grew up playing before he ever picked up a guitar at ten.
• Count Basie — As a young man in Harlem, Basie was tutored on organ and stride piano by Fats Waller — the foundation of his spare, swinging keyboard style.
• Bud Powell — The stride Powell learned first and then deliberately threw away — his left hand stops keeping time and starts punctuating.
• George Shearing — Shearing built his early approach on Waller and watched him play at first hand in the London after-hours clubs.