Fats Waller Thomas "Fats" Waller had such a magnetic personality and was such a consummate showman, one younger musician remembered, that "you could never be sad in his presence." Waller's bubbling stage persona—leering and lampooning the tunes he sang and played, shouting to urge his men on—often hid the master he really was. After Duke Ellington, he was the most prolific and successful songwriter to emerge from the world of jazz. Songs like "Ain't Misbehavin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," and "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now" (all written with the lyricist Andy Razaf) became American standards and helped make him nearly as celebrated in his lifetime as his friend Louis Armstrong. He was also the first jazz musician to record on the organ. But his most lasting impact was as a pianist. Building upon the Harlem stride he learned from his mentor, James P. Johnson, Waller developed his own irresistibly swinging style. His tireless left hand set the driving pace while his right served up delicate figures that continue to dazzle pianists. Jimmy Rowles marveled that Waller seemed able to "think in two directions." "Fats," said Art Tatum, "that's where I come from." And Mary Lou Williams urged students hoping to learn how to play jazz to "go back to Fats Waller... That's the metronome." Count Basie Roy Eldridge Ella Fitzgerald Benny Goodman Earl Hines Johnny Hodges "Papa" Jo Jones Charles Mingus Joe "King" Oliver Max Roach Sonny Rollins Fats Waller View press release for more information.