Fats Waller

I love the recordings we have of Fats Waller. There’s a spontaneity to these records that brings you so close to the music, to the person playing it and to what the experience of hearing Fats live must have been like. Fats was born Thomas Wright Waller in New York City in 1904. He started playing the piano at age six and by 15 was playing professionally. He wrote hundreds of songs, including the universally known jazz standard “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” He made his first recordings in 1922. He toured Europe in the 1930s and also appeared in film and on TV. Fats died of pneumonia on December 15, 1943 — just 39 years old.

The records we have below were all recorded by Fats Waller and his Rhythm. According to Wikipedia, this six-piece group usually included Herman Autrey (sometimes replaced by Bill Coleman or John “Bugs” Hamilton), Gene Sedric or Rudy Powell, and Al Casey.

The Recordings

I'll Never Forgive Myself
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10000)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	October 13, 1938
	Listen:	Click to play in popout player
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Two Sleepy People
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10000)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	October 13, 1938
	Listen:	Click to play in popout player
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Somebody Stole My Gal
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (25194)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	June 24, 1935
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Sugar Blues
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	RCA Victor	Matrix Number:	RCA Victor (25194)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	Augst 2, 1935
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Your Feets Too Big
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10500)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	November 3, 1939
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Hold Tight
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10116)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	January 19, 1939
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	Notes:	This song is sub-titled “Want Some Sea Food Mama.”
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You Out-Smarted Yourself
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10116)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	January 19, 1939
	Listen:	Click to play in popout player
	Notes:	If you are in the mood to gloat over someone who dumped you, here’s another song you might enjoy: Goody Goody.
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Suitcase Susie
	Group:	Fats Waller and his Rhythm
	Label:	Bluebird	Matrix Number:	Bluebird (10500)
	Record Type:	Double sided 10 inch 78 RPM
	Date Recorded:	November 3, 1939
	Listen:	Click to play in popout player
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