Did anybody else notice that he's playing this in A MAJOR?!?!?
The published sheet is in F! (well, the 1939 Leo Feist folio version anyway; I can't vouch for the 1934 Clarence Williams publication since I don't have a copy of it).
It is somewhat tricky in F, but I imagine it is a lot easier to play in A; I'm going to try it!!!
@KawhackitaRag Maybe it was recorded/performed with a singer if there are lyrics to it and wrote it in F. So everyone knew it was easier in F and played it that way although the key changes the sound and feel of it.
I'm sure he could have mentioned others, but I don't think its a slight againt those he didn't include. It was just a short intro to pay respect to some of the giants of stride era. Many of those greats have been largely forgotten. Its the same with many of the great hoofers in the days of vaudeville. Lost to history. Forgotten by posterity.
@Santosificationable Scott Joplin never played stride piano. Jelly Roll Morton couldn't cut anybody in New York, and The Lion hated Art Tatum. There's a story that goes that when The Lion was supposed to cut Art Tatum, The Lion said "I don't play against trick pianists".
@Santosificationable morton wasnt a stride pianist, plus everybody hated him cuz he had such a big mouth (although i love his music for sure!) Art Tatum came a lil bit later, and as josiah says, he seemed a lil suspicious the lion lol, he just was TOO good..
@Santosificationable i dont know, but i think he wasnt really envious, unlike james p. johnson for example who's ego couldnt really deal with tatums brilliance. i think the lion saw tatum more in a class of his own, a "trick pianist", not a real competition
@coy0te9 Yes, I only realized my error after you pointed it out. Thanks much. I've removed that origional post and here acknowledge that he was great in jazz. Thanks for the correction. Always appreciate someone helping me if I zigg where I should have zagged. Gratefully & Respectfully, RN
Everyone loathed Jellyroll Morton, especially James P. Johnson who demolished Morton at a cutting contest in the early '20s. The Lion was the only pianist in Harlem who acknowledged that Morton had any talent. Johnson looked down on Morton when the Jelly proclaimed himself as the greatest pianist in the world. Johnson was quick to remind everyone that Morton learned all of his tricks in houses of ill-repute by brothel pianists, whereas Johnson's instructor was taught by Liszt. Yes, THAT Liszt.
@Mannock hey Mannock, why don't you go read James P. Johnson's interview with Tom Davin, reproduced in the John Hasse book "Ragtime: Its History, Composers, and Music". Johnson praises Morton, saying that when Morton came to New York in 1911, the place where he was playing was "on fire" with his piano playing, and that Johnson wanted to copy Morton's tricks very badly but couldn't because he wasn't good enough yet!
In all fairness, The Lion was talking about the stride masters of the time and Art Tatum was of a later period. James P. Johnson, They DID Art Tatum and of course Fats Waller coined Art's moniker God. The story was that when Fats and Art got together it was a mutual admiration society of immense proportions, each man festooning the other with compliments.
you mention that the lion here dosent mention Art Tatum, I seem to think Williy Smith talks to much he thought too highly of himself but i do enjoy his playing however I have tried listening to Tatum cant trake his style for long I'm afraid. sorry.
@brianradomski i agree. tatum, tho brilliant is too fast, too dense. try erroll garner, invariably underestimated, perhaps for his humor and accessability, but if i was limited to just one piano player, it would be garner.
No need to mention God, he's so great, and his influence is so wide, that mentioning Art Tatum or not, would not make any difference.
And besides, the Lion didn't like him, because one when they were in a piano duel, after Tatum played, Willie replied "I don't play against trick pianists."
Wonderful playing and personality.
ImaniHekima 1 month ago
He and James P. had the virtuoso chops and took it to another level. With all respects to Fats Waller and Eubie Blake.
MrPartidoalto 1 month ago
Did anybody else notice that he's playing this in A MAJOR?!?!?
The published sheet is in F! (well, the 1939 Leo Feist folio version anyway; I can't vouch for the 1934 Clarence Williams publication since I don't have a copy of it).
It is somewhat tricky in F, but I imagine it is a lot easier to play in A; I'm going to try it!!!
KawhackitaRag 2 months ago
@KawhackitaRag Maybe it was recorded/performed with a singer if there are lyrics to it and wrote it in F. So everyone knew it was easier in F and played it that way although the key changes the sound and feel of it.
MrPartidoalto 1 month ago
@KawhackitaRag Listen again...he's in the key of F
glevito 1 month ago
OMG! He does the jumps with such EASE!!! HOly COW!
bluematrix109 2 months ago
I'm sure he could have mentioned others, but I don't think its a slight againt those he didn't include. It was just a short intro to pay respect to some of the giants of stride era. Many of those greats have been largely forgotten. Its the same with many of the great hoofers in the days of vaudeville. Lost to history. Forgotten by posterity.
bolder2009 3 months ago
Comment removed
bolder2009 3 months ago
He didn't mention Art :(
zmanofwar3 4 months ago
I love how in his performances he plays with that cigar in his mouth like what he's doing isn't mind blowing at all lol
maddywoo13 4 months ago
Haha can't help but laugh during the second half of the video. What a great player
hyma18 4 months ago
Oh man- Harlem in the 30s- it's coming coming back to me! Lol
What a character. Amazing playing.
Stride!
Schizopantheist 5 months ago
He was born in my small town in NY :p
inxyTrolls 6 months ago
Uhh...what about Scott Joplin? Jelly Roll Morton? Art Tatum?
Santosificationable 7 months ago 2
@Santosificationable Scott Joplin never played stride piano. Jelly Roll Morton couldn't cut anybody in New York, and The Lion hated Art Tatum. There's a story that goes that when The Lion was supposed to cut Art Tatum, The Lion said "I don't play against trick pianists".
josiah566 5 months ago
@Santosificationable morton wasnt a stride pianist, plus everybody hated him cuz he had such a big mouth (although i love his music for sure!) Art Tatum came a lil bit later, and as josiah says, he seemed a lil suspicious the lion lol, he just was TOO good..
pearsnockie 5 months ago
@pearsnockie So Willie was envious of Tatum?
Santosificationable 5 months ago
@Santosificationable i dont know, but i think he wasnt really envious, unlike james p. johnson for example who's ego couldnt really deal with tatums brilliance. i think the lion saw tatum more in a class of his own, a "trick pianist", not a real competition
pearsnockie 5 months ago
utterly fabulous upload !!!
katsandroses 7 months ago 2
The definition of a jaunty angle. That hat.
chris10702090 8 months ago
"Fingerbuster" by Willie the Lion Smith, is the quintessential slide piano piece imo.
RealRockandRoll 9 months ago
"Jazz comes from anywhere the human being has a soul and heart" Willie the Lion Smith
KeliMutiso 1 year ago 2
This is pure greatness. Willie sure loves himself. "Are you there Lion? Ready. Up the tempo". Classic
demm80s 1 year ago 2
@coy0te9 Yes, I only realized my error after you pointed it out. Thanks much. I've removed that origional post and here acknowledge that he was great in jazz. Thanks for the correction. Always appreciate someone helping me if I zigg where I should have zagged. Gratefully & Respectfully, RN
Angryrnmedic 1 year ago
At the end he's all like, "Yeah, I just did that".
H057IL3 1 year ago
The Lion... the King of Stride... Fats Waller his only serious competition.
tuxguys 1 year ago
Everyone loathed Jellyroll Morton, especially James P. Johnson who demolished Morton at a cutting contest in the early '20s. The Lion was the only pianist in Harlem who acknowledged that Morton had any talent. Johnson looked down on Morton when the Jelly proclaimed himself as the greatest pianist in the world. Johnson was quick to remind everyone that Morton learned all of his tricks in houses of ill-repute by brothel pianists, whereas Johnson's instructor was taught by Liszt. Yes, THAT Liszt.
Mannock 1 year ago
@Mannock It's asnot true though....... Bruto Giannini was Johnson's only classical teacher, and he was not a Liszt pupil.
d60944 1 year ago
@d60944 Then I misunderstood. However it is mentioned in the book Black Bottom Stomp. And that too makes it dubious. Thank you!
Mannock 1 year ago
@Mannock hey Mannock, why don't you go read James P. Johnson's interview with Tom Davin, reproduced in the John Hasse book "Ragtime: Its History, Composers, and Music". Johnson praises Morton, saying that when Morton came to New York in 1911, the place where he was playing was "on fire" with his piano playing, and that Johnson wanted to copy Morton's tricks very badly but couldn't because he wasn't good enough yet!
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@KawhackitaRag I will do. THANK YOU for the reference. I'll look the book up in the library. Hey, I work at the Ottawa Library.
Mannock 1 year ago
In all fairness, The Lion was talking about the stride masters of the time and Art Tatum was of a later period. James P. Johnson, They DID Art Tatum and of course Fats Waller coined Art's moniker God. The story was that when Fats and Art got together it was a mutual admiration society of immense proportions, each man festooning the other with compliments.
Mannock 1 year ago
wow...just wow, the cigar is classic too in the beginning
sourboydrummer 2 years ago 6
I think Willie did not mention Art Tatum just because he mentions pianists of his time and who inspired him. Tatum came a little bit after them
Stride8600000 2 years ago
you mention that the lion here dosent mention Art Tatum, I seem to think Williy Smith talks to much he thought too highly of himself but i do enjoy his playing however I have tried listening to Tatum cant trake his style for long I'm afraid. sorry.
brianradomski 2 years ago
@brianradomski i agree. tatum, tho brilliant is too fast, too dense. try erroll garner, invariably underestimated, perhaps for his humor and accessability, but if i was limited to just one piano player, it would be garner.
Dave78m 1 year ago
Notice he doesn't mention Tatum.
Phi1618033 2 years ago
No need to mention God, he's so great, and his influence is so wide, that mentioning Art Tatum or not, would not make any difference.
And besides, the Lion didn't like him, because one when they were in a piano duel, after Tatum played, Willie replied "I don't play against trick pianists."
Morahman7vnNo2 2 years ago
Oh my god when i look at his fingers movin so smooth its wonderful. Wow BRILLIANT!
jazzkosova 2 years ago 9
Are you there Lion?
Ready! Lol!
I actually let myself smile in this video!
And stupid but funny cameraman!
1:30 LOL!
Morahman7vnNo2 2 years ago 21
@Morahman7vnNo2 oh that put a big smile on my face hahahaha
Henry1993bc 3 weeks ago
What a treat! The Lion had to be close to 70 here, and he sounds very good.
mrstep2me 2 years ago 5
Beautiful ! :)
un sacré pianiste !
FrenchyJohan 2 years ago 5