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This web site is for all record collectors,
researchers, and fans of the great jazz pianist
and entertainer Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904-1943).
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Latest News
September 2011 - Long time Fats Waller enthusiast and collector Hansjuerg "George" Richner of Switzerland has most generously donated some of his collection to me. One such record is the rare erroneous pressing of Bluebird B-11262 with Gettin' Much Lately (Ain't Nothin' To It), released in error. Listen to my restored version here.
In other news, Stephanie Trick has released her 2010 Sheldon Hall "Stephanie Trick Live" concert on DVD, and I also love the fun and exciting version of This Joint Is Jumpin' and other interesting tracks by stride pianist Jeff Barnhart on his "Waller'ing Around" CD. Listen to a sample here.
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May 2011 - Another "new" recording from the second part of the Yacht Club broadcast of 22 October 1938 has been discovered in the William Savory Collection. By an amazing coincidence, a private collector has the first part of the same broadcast recorded on two Presto acetate discs. For details see the "Fats Waller on the Air" book update link here dated 23 May 2011, page 67 (left column).
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March 2011 - I have continued the sale of the Fats Waller CD here at 50% off, or just US$7 plus $4 Air Mail postage world-wide.
Additional information about the William Savory Collection for the previously unlisted Martin Block broadcast of 23 November 1938, has been included in the "Fats Waller on the Air" book update link here dated 1 March 2011. See page 73 (left column) in update.
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February 2011 - There are a number of contemporary jazz pianists who play in the Harlem stride tradition, but Stephanie Trick is an outstanding musician who gives her own interpretation of the classic pieces by Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Luckey Roberts, and others. Her latest album Stephanie Trick Live (TRCD004) is available from www.stephanietrick.com or www.cdbaby.com.
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January 2011 - Fats Waller CD now reduced by 60%. Click on the "Fats audio CD" link for further information. Offer expires 1st March.
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The National Jazz Museum in Harlem has acquired the William Savory Collection of nearly 1,000 discs of original broadcast recordings from the late 1930s up to 1940, featuring artists like Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, and many others. For more information see the museum web site here. and the link to a detailed description and recorded samples on the New York Times web site. The Waller discs include a completely "new" broadcast from 23 November 1938, and the Martin Block Jam Session of 14 December 1938, but in much better sound quality than any other known recording of this broadcast. Other Waller broadcasts may yet be lurking in the collection !!
For details of what I've been able to discover to date about the Waller material, please see the free update to my book Fats Waller on the Air. Scroll down to see the link to the updated pdf file (ref pages 73 and 80).
The author presents a copy of "Fats Waller on the Air" to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Official Opening Ceremony for Bangkok International Prep School, Bangkok, Thailand, on 26 June 2006.
Updated 7 September 2011 -Latest News update
