Jim Hession / Handful of Keys / Fats Waller /stride

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New piano CD's available as of April,2008.



I first heard this piece at the age of 15 when I had recently departed classical lessons for the worlds of ragtime and New Orleans jazz. Waller's own rendition intrigued me to the point that I obtained the LP, playing it over and over as I tried the figures out at the piano. My family hated me for this ......oh well! I was driven to work on "Handful of Keys", as it was the first authentic "stride" solo that I had ever learned. It increased my growing interest in the historical development of jazz piano. Thanks to you, Fats! Years later when Martha and I were musical directors of Durango , Colo.'s Diamond Circle Theater we arranged a five part vocal arrangement that was performed for the summer season with great success.
Hope you enjoy this rendition. This was recorded at Word of Mouth: Studio,June,2007. For the better part of 35 years Jim was a featured pianist at Disney World, Disneyland, New Orleans Square, The Grand Californian Hotel and Main St. USA. You could often find him at Coke Corner....1968-2003.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• STRIDE
• Fats
• Waller
• Jim
• Hession
• stride
• solo
• jazz
• piano
• new
• orleans
• improvisation
• eubie
• blake
• New
• Orleans
• Durango
• Coke
• Corner
• pianist
• Disneyland
• Disney
• World
• african american

[Murdoch584]

Quick question for you if you have the time. From about 0:08 to 0:50, are you doing tenths in the bass or just single notes? I ask because I've been working on this song, and my hands are just long enough to hit tenths. But getting it up to speed without slipping is proving rather difficult. Just curious if you had any advice/tips on the subject. Thanks!

[jazznbear]

@Murdoch584 During that section I am alternating solid tenths, broken tenths and single low notes (strong beats) followed by 6ths (5th plus 10th) on the afterbeats. Check my "stride tips" videos for further demonstrations..thanks for listening! If you can't find what you need, let me know..

[Murdoch584]

@jazznbear Thanks for the advice! I found the videos very helpful, particularly the right/left hand patterns video. The broken tenths idea helped me parts where the stretch was just too much. Granted, I've only been practicing it for about a week or so, but in time it'll eventually come together (I hope). All that aside, I thoroughly enjoy your rendition of Waller's Handful of Keys.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever heard of Jeff Barnhart?

[jazznbear]

@Murdoch584 Of course, we have several mutual friends.

[helmut4lyfe]

Where in the states are you located? I know my dad would LOVE to jam with you, being the stride pianist he is.

[jazznbear]

On the Gulf Coast..............

[joeymanko1]

Just the Master at Work! Super Job Jim. I love the improvs. Joe Mankowski

[dggd]

OUTTA SIGHT!!!

[DYNODRUM]

Who's saying its too fast. He made it to the WIRE, FLAWLESS.. FAST IS THe UNIVERSE: For those who Listen....

[joeymanko]

Just awesome as usual Jim!!! I get out of breath just listening!!!

You just capture all of Fats' personality in your version here. He would be be smiling at you and say, MY OH MY"!!!

[Fanfardon]

Two minutes and forty five seconds ago I thought I knew how to play piano.

[victorgor111]

wow !! jaja this is great !!