Thomas Fats Waller & Art Tatum

[nloc1929]

The run at 3:04 is ridiculous!

Love the look he gives afterwards haha

[rocktenniscats]

Fats played SO beautifully. He was classically trained, I think. He had such a great persona, and died way too young. PS: "You're feets TOO BIG!"

[rocktenniscats]

Fats played SO beautifully. He was classically trained, I think. He had such a great persona, and died way too young.

[minnesotafan117]

what piece/improv is tatum playing!!!!!

[MusicFanOnline]

@minnesotafan117 I believe it's called "Tiny's Exercises". Art Tatum and Tiny Grimes performed together for some time (in a trio, I think) and I think "Tiny's Exercises" was a warmup piece they sometimes did.

[dukeuke1]

As a Kid, Basie took Lesson`s from Fats & one can Hear it in Some of His INTRO`s

[paulostroff99]

Stunning.TY Pibbs 1

[gcpropertymanagement]

How on earth did the poster find these clips? I will subscribe right now.

[millions2nette]

This is great...SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL...

[mwhite36]

I like what Fats did at 1:11 to 1:17.

Man.

[csportalcomua]

Gershwin & Waller & Tatum. immortal. gods

[exsequor699]

What is the name of this material???

[gerbschmitt]

chick corea looks like the Kevin Klines son in the movie Grand Canyon

[daywalker48603]

Dangit! Which this dude wouldn't have interrupted with talk!

[theMarsFusion]

@daywalker48603 This dude is Chick Corea...

[daywalker48603]

@theMarsFusion I would have been irritated if Herbie Hancock started talking. I can see them on their own threads.

[laughingtiger123]

Just do this... listen to both men around 1938. Then listen to a couple cuts by Teddy Wilson.

Done.

[jasonbaxterpiano]

Fats Rocks!!!

[luposcorro95]

funny thing is, art tatum was legally blind.

[AAErikCO]

Ugh scratch the scholar babble, and put in the full clips of Tatum and Waller.

[BasementBeginnings]

I love Tatum's sketchy glare at 2:32. He's probably thinking something like "Can you play like this mothafuckas? No? That's what I thought."

[Redflowers9]

@BasementBeginnings lol who wouldn't?

[Brandotuomikoski]

7 people are deaf.

[astroscorp2]

Where's the rest of this????

[PoorPantsPictures]

chickkkkkkk

[PoorPantsPictures]

chick coreaaaaaaaaaa

[LEONCODAJJ]

El primer tema es AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', composición del propio FATS WALLER

[eliyaguy]

good combination of footwork and finger work. ho fats the unforgettable. and the second part of the clip, showing Tatum from a very good camera point of vew, is a diamond.

[eliyaguy]

good combination of footwork and finger work. ho fats the unforgettable

[ipublica]

What a wonderful innocent natural erotics that was not perverted, as today, in American society, into abject violence and perverse desires. Thanks, Chick Corea, for this introduction.

[wa1ufo]

Beautiful player and pretty girls!

[JazzKeyboardist1]

FYI, A great book to steal Art's licks is by Riccardo Scivales,, The right hand according to Tatum,,, Ekay Music Inc

[biggestr0n]

Chick Corea tells it like it was, and is!

[aldcor]

What's the song Art Tatum playing in this video?

[gilgamess]

"Tiny's Exercise"

[FLCL2010]

what is this?

[wii6tomoki]

R.I.P Lena Horne

[2ndviolinist]

Hands down Fats is the better entertainer. If only pop music had a fraction of his talent and charm I might take it seriously. Tatum is flat amazing but gilds the lily all too often by overplaying. This is not the case in this clip which is to the point and not over the top. TY for posting.

[bobullman111]

Great classic. What a style Fats had. One of a kind

[LaRocheFoucauld]

Narrator is Chick Corea.

[CavenEdwards]

Cool, people just don't style and profile like these guys anymore. So vintage and so Cool.

[SteinbrennerShotJFK]

During his hey day, wasn't it hard for African Americans to play just anywhere? They probably barred him from playing the white clubs because he was so good, not black!

[maurateague]

I don't really see the point of arguing about who was "better." Fats Waller was part of a slightly earlier generation. You could say the line of inheritance goes Fats Waller - Art Tatum - Oscar Peterson, but that's only one possibility.

[DailyBrusher]

I respect Tatum for his skill, talent and technique; but I LOVE Fats Waller for his soul!

[jackysue806]

What a talented man!! I had a cd of alot of his music and it broke a while back so thankful for youtube!!

[MAJORSNODGRASS]

Fats Waller was once kidnapped to play at a Mob party. He was ai fear of his life but emerged a few days late with his pockets stuffed with cash.

[polymath7]

What bonehead chose *that* clip to represent Art Tatum?

Granted, it *is* film of Tatum seated at a piano touching the keys, so it's automatically amazing.

But by *Tatum* standards...

[jjshetler]

@polymath7 - I think that may be about the only footage of Tatum. I've searched and never found anything else. It's a shame.

[josiah566]

@jjshetler there's a video for his playing of Dvorak's Humoresque which should be in the related videos.

[jjshetler]

@polymath7 Wait, just found another one, but there is definitely not much out there. Perhaps they used the only public domain clip.

[Ouija88]

That look at 3:05, like he wanna say: yeah watch me playing, kool huh:P

I like Tatum, Also Oscar Peterson!

[madara222]

is that Oscar Peterson at the very last seconds

[Mannock]

Classics comparison:

Fats Waller = Franz Liszt

Art Tatum = Charles-Valentin Alkan

Fats, the showman composer/pianist, Art, the impossiblist. Both men acknowledged each other as their better. Both were gentlemen of the highest order.

[Lanboelder]

reading cue cards

[mwhite36]

@Lanboelder Buahaha!!

[dkmckinney1]

Great post.

Thanks for sharing.

[EmoneyBabay1Luv]

good luv song

[Bebisatch]

I see where rap videos got the idea of putting chicks. Solid!

[Ouija88]

Props for that!

[AvianSurvivors]

@Bebisatch multiple reference win

[palamadais]

wow. great. thank you for posting...

[oldwarcraftgamer]

wooooo :O thank u for posting!!! but where is the end????

[jjam3774]

Art Tatum kinda looks like Cuba Gooding jrs brother.

[noinas01]

The effortlessly light touch almost disguising such deep technical mastery in the solo from 0:46 to 1:38 is wonderful to see and hear....Fats IS the best ! ,,,thanks for posting!...

[TheSanityInspector]

Hey! Who sent for the nerdo narrator? Bring back Fats!

just kidding, thanks for posting.

[boobtuber06]

I'm pretty sure that's Chic Corea.

[xkaliber72]

that is Chic!

[TheSanityInspector]

Oh, okay; I've heard of him. The poster might consider putting him in the description tags.

[MAJORJANNA]

god bless all the human races eache hace a divine virtous gift, in this case the black people have the precious don of jazz

[lyprov]

Who originally filmed and produced this video? I'd like to cite it in my Jazz History paper.

[20153]

damn, who is the chick on the piano.. she's gotta be like 80 now tho...lol but she was FINE!

[AAErikCO]

"A Fine Rascal" according to Fats Waller ;)

[andreigeorgecostin]

art is the best but not entertaining....

[taiping194]

Check out the Fats Waller version of Ain't Misbehavin' on the new 2009 CD with 15 previously unissued tracks called Fats Waller on the Air: 1938 Broadcasts. Google the title.

[tropicvibe]

Fats Waller was indeed a great pianist but still below Art Tatum's virtuosity.

[dec15]

And who wasn't below Art Tatum's virtuosity, pray tell?

[1mommas]

Fats Waller was a classically trained pianist.

His talents were endless.

What appeals to me most was his humor.

Aren't we fortunate to have these old historical memories of America's greatest music?

I hope America is remembered for the geniuses of all colors she's produced.

Certainly, God has blessed America where all things are

possible.

His songs endure as we remember him and his smile.

[YottaTaz]

Ditto !

God gives gifts, let's all do more and bless..

Lord, please continue to bless America.

[1954tele]

@1mommas ; Very well put. We are indeed fortunate to have YOUTUBE for creating the forum which brings such memorable works to our homes. But we are also fortunate for members like yourself for keeping such treasures in the "now".

[trufiend138]

@1954tele i agree you tube has become an incredible take-on the record store...i hope it doesnt change for the worse...

[Flextones]

The Jester of Jazz. How can he talk and make jokes while keeping perfect time and subdividing lines with his right hand while striding with his left?

[hellodavidgreene]

try my one and only love by Tatum and Ben Webster and enjoy the geniuses

[williamanesbitt]

Guitar player was no slouch either...

[32doors]

What does "sweet essence of pink buttermilk" mean? Anyone?

[david6732]

It's one of Fats' many catch phrases. He often uses it humorously referring to his sweet and creamy style of piano playing.

[1mommas]

The song's title is "Aint Misbehavin'"

[1mommas]

He'd have to be with his talent.

Two giants.

[1mommas]

DId you know that Fats Waller was classically trained?

[102938z]

Tatum was too.

[BizzMarki]

What is the name of this documentary? Right at the end a clip on Oscar Peterson was about to start, I'd love to see that

[JazzBrother88]

This is an instructional video made some years ago by Chick Corea, and the Peterson clip at the end is from a British TV program from the 60's called "Jazz 625". You should find it here on youtube.

[joav87]

what's the name of the instructional video? I'd love to watch it

[JazzBrother88]

Piano Legends, with Chick Corea as host.

[karinablacktie]

I love your little lesson. Phenomenal musicians.

[petugue]

What does Art Tatum play ? Which is the title please ? I don't know this song !

[ilovesteelydan]

It's a piece called "Tiny's Exercise"

[dahood22]

dude come on, it's said in the video....

Ain't misbehavin - Fats Waller

[FightingTheWitness]

u idiot

[evildelul]

Is William Cat Anderson on trumpet?

[FightingTheWitness]

duh

[Kirke182]

Here in Detroit, we have the oldest operating jazz club in the world called Baker's Keyboard Lounge. My uncle used to play there a lot. The keyboard the lounge is named for was piano bought in New York and shipped to Detroit by Art Tatum when he used to headline at Bakers. The piano is still there and still being played.

[SolarJakee]

Art Tatums face when he first starts playing is genius. I'm sure he's secretly trying to freak out all the upper class white people hes playing to.

[skaleewag]

Sure. I prefer his instrumental pieces. But it was a different time i guess.

[poetictube]

There's a part of me that doesn't like this video because it continues the tradition of portraying Fats Waller as some kind of entertainer at the expense of his artistry.

Fats Waller the solo pianist made music of stunning beauty, a broad palette of emotional ranges, and what I like to call "introspective whimsy"

Sadly, this aspect of Fats Waller is forgotten by the general public

Even Fats Waller himself was sad about having to play "jive" instead of his own complex, beautiful music.

[Hoopermazing]

Pops had to do the same thing, otherwise racist whites would have been threatened by them and--at the very least--not hired them for gigs.

[BizzMarki]

I hate aint misbehavin... fats is so annoying in that song, he has much better ones than that...

That clip of tatum is just amazing

[BrunoJazzmanLeicht]

Fats: A real ladies man. And surely one of the most gifted entertainer of the 40s. Great gals, great dance scenes, and what an easygoing, cool style.

Feel free to drop by my little jazz blog, if you like. For link see profile.

Cheers & See you,

Brew "Fats" Leicht

[burnt62]

fats .. your face says it all !!! I bet you bonked the lot of them. thanks for giving us wonderful fun with your legacy.

[n3rrd]

Incredible from 2:31 onwards.

[dingoswamphead]

.. I think Chick said (read) 'predated the complexities of bebop.'

2 great magicians there.

Nice to see the total efficiency of Art's playing, with the polyrhythms and clever harmonies, compared to Fats' lightness of touch. When he's hamming it up, he is still putting subtle nuances everywhere.

[aardvaark069]

I love love love Fats wallers' lilting style.

[callenishss]

....at the very end he said ...predated the complexities of what?

[theocharlier]

Bebop

[ipublica]

Wow, if this is not an honest statement of a piano god, Chick Corea, about another piano god, I don't know what is one! Unfortunately the recording breaks off unexpectedly - so good, so good was it ... a real novelty.

[aaaaarrrghh]

j'aime beaucoup ces vieilles vidéos

[MOGLIDER]

{from Wikipedia) Trumpeter Eddie Henderson's mother was one of the dancers in the original Cotton Club. She had a twin sister, and they were called The Brown Twins. They would dance with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and the Nicholas Brothers. In the film showing Fats Waller playing 'Ain't Misbehavin', Henderson's mother sits on the piano whilst Fats sings to her. His father sang with Billy Williams and The Charioteers a very popular singing group.

[Trinculo94]

at 2.57 all is in the hand of "god"

[bluesmaster79]

Looks like Oscar Peterson at the very end of the clip

[Blandsboogie]

Amazing, Please show the rest of the vid after Art Tatum

[Saxation1]

the narrator looks like Jeff Goldblume

[ymhelpteam]

His name is Chick Corea.

[iplaymusc]

Whoa... If you don't know Chick Corea, your life is about to change. Check out Chick Corea playing "spain" and "300 miles"

[MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

No... but I know who Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy and Beyonce are. Is Chick Corea better them? Hmm...

(this is a joke... seriously...)

[joelscott82]

good answer !!!!!

[jbargeusa]

You know, I love Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, but MY GOD Fats Waller could sure play the piano!

[JamesPriceJohnson]

what is the song playing during art tatums part?

[Timbul53525253]

I *think* it's called Tiny's Exercise.

[pauljmccain]

correct. it's a shame because it's very simple, not really demonstrating at all why tatum was a legend. but it's the only (?) clip there is of him. i'd love to see him on tiger rag.

[mmeyer1]

looks like white people choreographed this lol

[KingLouisXXI]

Pretty sure they did...Lol.Everything was basically.

[horarwgt]

"Ain't Misbehavin'" reached #127 pop for Fats Waller in 1929 -- as an instrumental! Obviously the VOCAL version is the true classic. Art Tatum's only pop hits were "Body and Soul" (1937) and "Tea For Two" (1939). Neither is represented here.

[timloat]

Taint Misbehavin' - I love Mr. Show

[hoolythebold]

Where's this from?

[existingappointment]

To watch Tatum play is to realize that something is so different he doesn't just play the piano, he IS the piano.

[123BubberMiley]

what is this video from?

[MagicRain505]

Fats waller. A TRUE jazz musician and a TRUE entertainer. Period. One of the best.

[x1235791113x]

chick corea!

[chersext]

Tatum was blind in one eye, and could barely see out of the other.  Watch Chapter 4 of Ken Burns' Jazz film, check out the great footage!

[horatiodreamt]

I love that stride style of playing.

[jamieleesis]

Is that chick corea talking about them? it is isn't it! that is too cool. Art Tatum defined jazz piano in the bebop era. I think Chick Corea was the same in the fusion era. Total genious with RTF. yey!!!!!!!!

[BRazor78]

That look on 1:09 to 1:10 is priceless

[musictranscription]

I'll write for you any sheet music

[hellomate639]

Tatum holds his hands over the keyboard just like Vladimir Horowitz...

[turntapzap]

Fats Waller is one thing, but Tatum is something else. Probably not from this world.

[typicalsoprano]

I love how the girls can't dance...hahaha

[Pentagonshark666]

Waller was a weed smoker and that's mean

that weed makes people funny :) weed is

good.

[reaperman2004]

Your an idiot... Grow up.

[andrew17660]

Logical fallacy.

[nothingoriginal80165]

Does anyone know what video this is from, and where I can get a copy?

[baudilus]

The video is called "Piano Legends" and is only available on VHS.

[davidjnes]

The commentator is a young Chick Corea.

[KawhackitaRag]

Say, is that Jed Distler?

[KawhackitaRag]

hahahaha Fats is terrific. Tatum is great too, though of course this trio clip isn't as technically astonishing as, say, "Yesterdays", it still shows his perfect taste, touch, and discretion, abilities not played up often enough by historians. It also shows the great interplay of Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart, two fine musicians in their own right.

[joakocai]

Ey, ¿Qué onda con Chick?

No se metan con él, que es un grande.

[peppersax]

It doesn't matter if Chick was reading. He was telling the truth!

[GrenvilleT]

Go for it, Fats. Nothing else matters much.

[mozart77]

I read in an article that if Oscar Peterson (RIP), was God, then Art Tatum would be his only begotten son

[soogoonu]

nanah, with all respect to Peterson, the article flipped up the names: Tatum is God, Peterson his shy son.

[Kolef88]

You are correct.

[Mauriciomagnifico01]

So true

[ghostguy1]

When Tatum walked into a club where Fats Waller was playing, Waller stepped away from the piano bench to make way for Tatum, announcing, "I only play the piano, but tonight God is in the house."

[Cossack7357]

Yeah, I saw a clip of him saying that!

[lobextomy]

You stupid ass, hes hispanic, and he is one of the best piano players of all time, Chick Corea. Obviously your an ignorant fool

[lobextomy]

your stupidity knows no bounds..you stupid racist idiot

[SirNaggerOfJones]

i wouldnt expect someone of your intellect and racist upbringing to be able to distinguish, or even WANT to distinguish, between a hispanic and an Italian.

grow up

[lobextomy]

you stupid moron, I hope the world sees less of people like you, asshole

[SirNaggerOfJones]

haha <3

[jazzman2468]

how can you criticise someone else as racist when your original comment was:

"haha look at that whitey trying to pretend hes not reading"

[Piratebreadstick]

I agree with you with everything you said. However, Chick is actually Italian. One of his grandfathers is Calabrian and the other Sicilian.

[lobextomy]

my apologuies. Chick is actually of mixed italian and spanish blood. I always thought he was of pure hispanic descent by his latin jazz music, embracing the cuban elements, and tito puente influences, as well as the picture of himself on the album, my spanish heart

[SirNaggerOfJones]

will you be my friend?

[HEADBANGING69]

ART TATUM WAS INSANE GOOD. HOLY SHIT!

great! Although... he had a wife and children, he spent his money on travelling, eating,