Research Catalog

Title

Fats Waller collection, 1932-1943.

Author

Waller, Fats, 1904-1943.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Ponce, Philip L.

Description

3.4 lin. ft. (5 archival boxes, 1 flat box and 1 oversized folder)

Summary

The Thomas "Fats" Waller Collection, 1932-1943, is comprised of materials generated and kept by Philip L. Ponce, Inc., Waller's management company during the last ten years of his life and career. The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, 1932-1942, and other documentation that provide details of Ponce's business relationship with Waller, e.g. bookings, tours, contracts and other financial matters. Of particular interest are the reports by Waller's road trip managers, Ed Kirkeby and Eddie Melsher. Other materials in the collection include scripts, manuscript and printed scores, 1932-1941; biographical sketches, promotional materials, flyers and playbills, financial papers, 1932-1942; engagement reports and newspaper clippings.

Subjects

• Philip L. Ponce, Inc
• Popular music > United States > 20th century
• Music > United States > 20th century
• African Americans > Social conditions > To 1964
• Composers > United States > 20th century
• African American composers
• Waller, Fats, 1904-1943
• Black author
• Kirkeby, Ed
• Organ music (Jazz)
• Jazz vocals > 20th century
• Piano music (Jazz)
• African American entertainers
• Jazz > 20th century
• Radio Scripts
• Radio programs

Note

• Complementary collections: Sheet Music Collection; Andy Razaf Papers, Sc MG 35

Additional Formats (note)

• Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Source (note)

• Apfelbaum, Charles

Biography (note)

• Nationally and internationally renowned jazz pianist and composer Thomas Wright Waller, "Fats" was regarded as a musical genius who was able to break into the mainstream through his performance work, prolific songwriting and recording, and his radio broadcasts. He is known best for the music he produced in the 1920s with Andy Razaf, among them "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'," and his scores for musical revues such as "Keep Shufflin" (1928), "Hot Chocolates" (1929), and "Early to Bed" (1943). Waller also appeared in the films "Hooray for Love" (1935) and "King of Burlesque" (1936).

Call Number

Sc MG 781

OCLC

789282010

Author

Waller, Fats, 1904-1943.

Title

Fats Waller collection, 1932-1943.

Additional Formats

Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints Division.

Biography

Nationally and internationally renowned jazz pianist and composer Thomas Wright Waller, "Fats" was regarded as a musical genius who was able to break into the mainstream through his performance work, prolific songwriting and recording, and his radio broadcasts. He is known best for the music he produced in the 1920s with Andy Razaf, among them "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'," and his scores for musical revues such as "Keep Shufflin" (1928), "Hot Chocolates" (1929), and "Early to Bed" (1943). Waller also appeared in the films "Hooray for Love" (1935) and "King of Burlesque" (1936).

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Occupation

Radio Scripts.

Local Subject

Black author.

Added Author

Ponce, Philip L.

Research Call Number

Sc MG 781