Fats Waller facts
While investigating facts about Fats Waller, I found out little known, but curios details like:
Famous jazz pianist Fats Waller was kidnapped by gangsters for three days in Chicago in 1926. He was the "surprise guest" at Al Capone's birthday party. He was later found very drunk, extremely tired, and had earned thousands of dollars in cash from Capone and other party-goers as tips.
Fats Waller was kidnapped to be the surprise guest at Al Capone's birthday party at gunpoint. He left 3 days later intoxicated with thousands of dollars in tips.
In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across. Here are 7 of the best facts about Fats Waller I managed to collect.
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The celesta is also used in music styles other than orchestras and classical music. It has been featured in jazz music by Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, and Herbie Hancock.
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Other early fans of the Hammond organ included Count Bassie and Fats Waller, and it continued to gain popularity in a variety of music genres including rock, pop, gospel, jazz, and blues.
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Jazz music became popular during the Harlem Renaissance. It is often referred to as the Jazz Age. Popular jazz musicians included Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Fats Waller.
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According to Disney composer Alan Menken, the personality and musical style of Genie was inspired by Harlem Jazz and Fats Waller. "The Genie of the Ring was described as being black, and having actually an earring in his ear and sort of looking like a hipster"
