Some Things Get Easier
Dan Morgenstern once remarked to me that whenever he heard a recording by Louis Armstrong or Fats Waller it was sure to bring a smile to his face. I agree. This clip was one of the reasons I used to comb through the TV Guide each week (before the days of VHS, DVD and YouTube) to see when the next viewing of “Stormy Weather” would be shown on WPIX-TV in New York just to catch a glimpse of the great Waller. The musicians are Benny Carter (tp), Alton Moore (tb), Gene Porter (cl), Irving Ashby (g), Slam Stewart (b) and Zutty Singleton (d). Ada Moore sings and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson dances a bit and waits on tables!
- Scott Wenzel
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr Twitter
View Video
The Fats Waller Multimedia Exhibit
From the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University (Newark campus) comes this digital exhibit of Fats Waller. This is one of five exhibits co-produced by the Institute and the Dana Library Media and Digital Services. Presented by staff members of the Institute as well as students from Rutgers, it is possible to view and enjoy a visual tour of Fats’ life via music scores, a selection of essential Waller recordings and a vast amount of images of Waller on tour in America, England and Scotland. Many of the rare items you can view here were provided through a donation of materials from the Ed Kirkeby (Waller’s manager from 1938-1943) Collection.
-Scott Wenzel
Follow: Mosaic Records Facebook Tumblr
Read More
