By Alix Cohen . . .
Bronx-born Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (1904 –1943), jazz pianist, organist, composer and vocalist copyrighted over 400 songs, most co-written with Andy Razaf who described his collaborator as “the soul of melody . . . both big in body and in mind . . . a bubbling bundle of joy.”
Waller started piano at six, played organ in his father’s church at 10, left school at 15 to work as an organist at the Lincoln Theater in Harlem, and became a professional recording artist two years later, becoming one of the most popular performers of his era. He also studied piano composition at Juilliard. The icon’s Harlem stride is often referred to as the foundation of modern jazz piano. Composer/pianist Oscar Levant called him “the Black Horowitz.”
Aisha de Haas opens today’s show with the iconic “Ain’t Misbehavin” (Waller/Harry Brooks/Andy Razaff). Piano sashays. Sax twirls. Bass goes its own way. “I’m savin’ my luh-uh-uve for you,” De Hass sings.
“Anything to do with Fats Waller is automatically a party,” Deborah Winer comments welcoming the audience. “His work was covered by everyone from Louis Armstrong to Barbra Streisand.” Three vocalists cover material this afternoon, each with his/her own style.
De Haas offers “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling” (Waller/Harry Link/Billy Rose) playing with phrasing, mischief in her eyes. Her scat is a low, undulating sound. In duet, the vocalist delivers a longlined, “Two Sleepy People” (Hoagy Carmichael/Frank Loesser; a Waller hit) massaging lyrics. It infectiously appears she likes the feel of the song.
“Cash for Your Trash” (Waller/Ed Kirkrby) was written a week after Pearl Harbor to rally the war effort, Winer tells us. Today’s the day that all us cats/ Must surely do our bit/ We all must do our share/So Uncle Sam can hit.” The bouncy request might just as well be called “sass for trash.” Though a serious effort, it arrives as if goosing the public.
Karin Allyson begins with “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” (Fred E. Ahlert/Joe Young; a Waller hit). Vocal is flannel, scat round-edged. One hand gently slaps a thigh, the other snaps fingers. Rhythm is in her DNA. “Jitterbug Waltz” (Waller) goes uphill and down with warmth and fluency. Allyson leans in as if letting the music act as wind. Piano is snazzy, sophisticated. A fine rendition. “Honeysuckle Rose” (Waller/Andy Razaf) enters on scat. Mood is light, insouciant. Phrasing is very much the vocalist’s own. She appears to be the only one reading lyrics.
MD/Pianist Richard Cummings renders “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie” (Billy Mayhew; a hit for Waller) “I’m kind of representing what Fats might be at 72,” he quips. “This is a song my mother sang to my father. They were married 70 years.” Part sung, part parlando, the number is both wry and a warning: “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you/Ha, ha, ha!/Yes, but if you break my heart, I’ll break your jaw/And then I’ll die . . .” It’s terrific. Direct, jaded. Sax seems to laugh. Bass weaves.
Tyreek McDole’s “Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now” (Waller/Andy Razaf) is performed rocking back and forth, eyes closed. In fact, most of the light baritone’s presentation today avoids eye contact, shutting us out. Alto sax swings. Piano comments with bent-fingered precision. Winer tells us “Black and Blue” (Waller/Harry Brooks/Andy Razaf) was written for a revue called Hot Chocolate and popularized by Ethel Waters. The soulful ballad rides above circling brushes and light cymbals, which add shimmer.
A jitterbug “The Joint is Jumpin” (Waller/ Andy Razaf/ J.C. Johnson) arrives crooner style. Sax wails. McDole hardly moves, making a visual disconnect from the melody.
All three vocalists take the bandstand for “I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby” (Waller/ Alex Hill) which is hap, hap, happy. Sax dips and trills. The ladies moooove. “Mr. Cupid was our teacher/That’s the reason we agree . . .” A buoyant ending to a taste of one of the best.
Songbook Sundays: Savin’ My Love for Fats Waller
Hosted and Curated by Deborah Grace Winer
Vocalists: Karin Allyson, Aisha de Haas, Tyreek McDole
Richard Cummings- Piano/MD
Kenny Davis- Bass, Tony Cintron-Drums, Ed Jackson- Tenor Sax
Dizzy’s Club- Jazz at Lincoln Center https://2023.jazz.org/dizzys-club
NEXT: Songbook Sundays: Can’t Help Lovin’ Jerome Kern August 13, 2023 https://2023.jazz.org/songbook-sundays-cant-help-lovin-jerome-kern
