Fats Waller on the Air

Additions and Corrections

Fats at the piano, unknown date. © Corbis.

1 2 Fats Waller on the Air

Introduction

This file is a list of additions and corrections for the book Fats Waller on the Air: The Radio Broadcasts and Discography [FWotA] (Scarecrow Press, 2006). The chapter and page numbers refer to those in the book. Please refer to the revi- sion date at the end of the listing. The discography section is updated from the book version which uses a re- vision dated 22 December 2005, and includes all the updates included in the electronic version of the discography called the Fats Waller Ultimate Discogra- phy, available from the author. As stated in the introduction to the published discography, the CD listing includes most issues up to 21 May 2005, the 101st anniversary of Waller’s birth in 1904, but does not include compilations by various artists unless they contain an unusual track or some other special feature such as a previously unissued take. This update continues that policy. Since the publication of the book I have received further information about additional Victor Argentina and Brazil 78 rpm issues. I have noted some of these here, but for a more complete listing please refer to the Discography. Please note these updates are cumulative, and incorporate previous revisions which can be discarded.

Abbreviations

p xix. Add the following abbreviations (Hansjürg Richner email 17 May 2006) BBC British Broadcasting Corporation (U.K.) BMG Bertelsmann Music Group (U.S.A.), now a joint venture with Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Sony–BMG).

Chapter 1 – Broadcast Listing

p 2. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle radio listings for Monday, 30 July 1923 , and for “Tomorrow’s Early Program” has “Thomas Waller, pianist” at 12:10–12:20 pm over Station WDT (Manhattan, 405) playing “Two A.M. Blues,” “Man, Man, Don’t Do That To Me,” and “Don’t Let Me Find You Here When I Get Back.” The earliest newspaper report noted in the book is from 18 August

Additions and Corrections 3

1923, also over Station WDT. It’s possible that Waller may also have sat in on the other performers from 12 midday to 12:10 pm with Henderson’s Happy Six; 12:20–12:30 pm Trixie Smith and her Down Home Syncopators; 12:30–12:40 pm Rosa Henderson; 12:40–12:45 pm Floyd G. Sneldon; 12:45–12:50 pm Trixie Smith and her Down Home Syncopators; and 12:50 pm Henderson’s Happy Six (Fulton History newspaper archive www.fultonhistory.com). The Brooklyn Daily Eagle radio listings for Friday, 24 August 1923, again under “Tomorrow’s Early Program” for Station WDT has “Thomas Waller, pia- nist” at 12:20–12:30 pm playing “Farewell Blues” and “Molasses.” Other per- formers listed are Duke Ellington and Orchestra from 12 midday to 12:10 pm; 12:10–12:20 pm Trixie Smith; 12:30–12:35 pm Duke Ellington and Orchestra; 12:35–12:40 pm Joe De Lisle, singer; 12:40–12:45 pm Rosa Henderson; 12:45– 12:50 pm Lena Wilson; and 12:50 pm Duke Ellington and Orchestra (Fulton History archive).

The New York Times radio listing for 25 August 1923 has “Popular songs: orchestra” over WDT at 12:00–1:00 pm (Carl Hällström email March 2007). The New York Evening World for 25 August 1923 has additional infor- mation about the tune titles:

4 Fats Waller on the Air

Ken Steiner “Duke Ellington and the Washingtonians, 1923–27” (2008)

WDT was a short-lived (1921–23) radio station owned by the Ship Owners’ Radio Service that broadcast one or two hours a day. Programming was arranged by, and originated from, the Grand Premier Grand Piano Company at 510 W. 23rd Street. WDT was managed by actress, singer and radio personality Vaughan De Leath, the "Original Radio Girl," who was responsible for "some of the best shows on the air during radio's first years." (from The Airways of New York: Illustrated Histories of 156 AM Stations in the Metropolitan Area, 1921– 1996 by Bill Jaker, Frank Sulek, and Peter Kanze (McFarland & Company, 1998), as quoted in the above mentioned paper by Ken Steiner). p 4. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle radio listings for Wednesday, 23 September 1925, for Station WGCP (Manhattan, 252) at 8:15–8:30 pm has “Thomas Wal- ler and Roy Banks, and Andy Razaf, the yodelling kid.” The broadcast is also mentioned in the radio listings for the New York Daily Post for the same date (Fulton History archive). The Brooklyn Daily Eagle radio listings for Saturday, 26 September 1925, for Station WGCP at 3:30–4:00 pm has “Thomas Waller and Roy Banks, pia- nists.” The New York Evening Post for the same date, station, and time, has “Thomas Waller and Roy Banks, two pianos; Andy Razaf” (Fulton History ar- chive). The New York Times radio listing for 6 July 1928 also has the Negro Achievement Hour over WABC at 11:01 pm (Carl Hällström email March 2007). p 5. The New York Times radio listing for 11 September 1930 has “Maxwell House Orchestra: Thomas Waller, Piano Solo: Male Quartet” over WJZ at 9:30– 10:30 pm EDST (Eastern Daylight Saving Time) (Carl Hällström email 10 Oct 2009, and JJ’s Radio Logs). p 8. The New York Times radio listing for 19 March 1932 has “Harold Van Emburgh, Baritone: Wirge’s Orch,; Fats Waller, Piano” over WEAF at 9:30 pm (Carl Hällström email March 2007).

P 12. The radio listings in The Register, Sandusey, Ohio, for Sunday, 1 Janu- ary 1933, has Fats Waller over Station WLW, Cincinnati, at 10:30–11:00 pm. (Carl Hällström email 12/5/10 with NA newspaper scan). p 18. Carl Hällström alerted me to the Newspaper Radio Logs at http://www.jjonz.us/RadioLogs. I have checked the New York Times radio logs and found numerous discrepancies between the “Fats Waller, Songs” programs listed here and those in the Pittsburgh Courier. The daily New York Times list- ings are probably more reliable than the weekly Pittsburgh Courier logs.

Additions and Corrections 5

All WABC listings have been checked from Thursday, 1 March 1934, to Friday, 22 March 1935. The first broadcast found is from 21 March 1934, some two weeks before the first date in FWotA, and the last on Saturday, 9 March 1935. Corrections and additions are labelled (+). All broadcasts are fifteen minutes duration except for the broadcast on Friday, 13 April 1934. Wednesday, 21 March 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Thursday, 22 March 1934, 10:45 am. (+) Friday, 23 March 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Wednesday, 28 March 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Friday, 30 March 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Tuesday, 3 April 1934, 3:45 pm. (+) Wednesday, 4 April 1934, 11:15 am. Friday, 6 April 1934, 11:15 am. Tuesday, 10 April 1934, 3:45 pm. Wednesday, 11 April 1934, 10:45 am. (+) Friday, 13 April 1934, 10:50 am [10–minutes]. (+ time) Tuesday, 17 April 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Wednesday, 18 April 1934, 10:45 am. Friday, 20 April 1934, 11:15 am. (+ time) Monday, 23 April 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Tuesday, 24 April 1934 – Fats Waller not listed possibly due to baseball game over WABC from 3:00 pm. (+) Wednesday, 25 April 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Friday, 27 April 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Tuesday, 1 May 1934, 3:45 pm. Wednesday, 2 May 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Friday, 4 May 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 5 May 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Monday, 7 May 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Tuesday, 8 May 1934, 3:45 pm. Wednesday, 9 May 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Friday, 11 May 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 12 May 1934, 7:00 pm. (+) Tuesday, 15 May 1934, 3:45 pm. (+) Thursday, 17 May 1934, 10:45 pm. (+)

The New York Times radio listings have the Harlem Serenade broadcast over WABC on Tuesday, 8, 15 and 29 May 1934 at 10:45 pm, and on 22 May at 11:00 pm. The artists are not listed. Variety Hour replacing George Jessel first appears in the New York Times listing on Sunday, 15 July 1934 at 8:00 pm, and Cliff Edwards is specifi- cally mentioned on Sunday 29 July at the same time, and for regular Sunday broadcasts up to 30 September 1934, after which he was replaced by a sympho- ny orchestra program. The Ed Kirkeby quotation should be moved to p 20.

6 Fats Waller on the Air

p 19. Continuing with the New York Times radio listings. All as “Fats Waller, Songs” unless where stated. Saturday, 19 May 1934, 7:00 pm. (+ time) Saturday, 26 May 1934, 8:00 pm. (+) Monday, 28 May 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Saturday, 2 June 1934, 8:00 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ.” (+) Monday, 4 June, 1934, 11:00 pm. Saturday, 9 June 1934, 8:45 pm. Monday, 11 June 1934, 11:00 pm. Saturday, 16 June 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Monday, 18 June 1934, 11:00 pm. Saturday, 23 June 1934, 8:45 pm. Monday, 25 June 1934, 11:00 pm. Tuesday, 26 June 1934, 6:30 pm. “Fats Waller, Songs; Beale Street Boys, Songs.” (+) Saturday, 30 June 1934, 8:45 pm. Monday, 2 July 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Tuesday, 3 July 1934, 6:30 pm. “Beale Street Boys, Songs; Fats Waller, Songs.” (+) Saturday, 7 July 1934, 8:45 pm. (+)

In addition the New York Times radio listing for Sunday, 3 June 1934 at 8:00–9:00 pm has “George Jessel, Comedian; Evan Evans, Baritone; Fats Wal- ler, Nick Lucas, Songs, and Others.” No doubt this is part of the series George Jessel Variety Hour. (ref The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, p 292) p 20. Continuing with the New York Times radio listings. All as “Fats Waller, Songs” unless where stated. Monday, 9 July 1934, 11:00 pm. Tuesday, 10 July 1934, 7:00 pm. “Fats Waller, Songs; Meale [sic, Beale] Street Boys, Songs.” (+) Thursday, 12 July 1934, 10:45 pm. (+) Friday, 13 July 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 14 July 1934, 8:45 pm. Monday, 16 July 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Tuesday, 17 July 1934, 7:00 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ; Beale Street Boys, Songs.” Friday, 20 July 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 21 July 1934, 7:45 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ.” (+ time) Thursday, 26 July 1934, 9:45 pm. (+) Saturday, 28 July 1934, 7:45 pm. (+) Monday, 30 July 1934, 11:00 pm. Tuesday, 31 July 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+)

Additions and Corrections 7

Friday, 3 August 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 4 August 1934, 7:45 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ.” (+) Monday, 6 August 1934, 11:00 pm. Thursday, 9 August 1934, 9:45 pm. Saturday, 11 August 1934, 7:45 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ.” (+) Monday, 13 August 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Thursday, 16 August 1934, 9:45 pm. (+) Saturday, 18 August 1934, 8:00 pm. “Fats Waller, Organ.” (+) Delete comment “(probably similar schedule for the missing week, see note)” in the Pittsburgh Courier listing. p 21. Continuing with the New York Times radio listings. All as “Fats Waller, Songs.” Monday, 20 August 1934, 11:00 pm. Thursday, 23 August 1934, 9:45 pm. Monday, 27 August 1934, 11:00 pm. Thursday, 30 August 1934, 9:45 pm. Monday, 3 September 1934, 11:00 pm. Thursday, 6 September 1934, 9:45 pm. Monday, 10 September 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Thursday, 13 September 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 15 September 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Monday, 17 September 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Thursday, 20 September 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 22 September 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Monday, 24 September 1934, 11:00 pm. Thursday, 27 September 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Saturday, 29 September 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Delete comment “(probably Monday, 17 September, and Thursday, 20 Sep- tember, see note)” in the Pittsburgh Courier listing. p 22. Continuing with the New York Times radio listings. All as “Fats Waller, Songs.” Friday, 5 October 1934, 11:00 pm. (+) Saturday, 6 October 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Thursday, 11 October 1934 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Friday, 12 October 1934, 11:00 pm. Saturday, 13 October 1934, 8:45 pm. (+ time) Saturday, 20 October 1934, 8:45 pm. (+) Wednesday, 24 October 1934, 10:45 am. (+) Wednesday, 31 October 1934, 10:45 am. (+) Wednesday, 7 November 1934, 10:45 am. (+) Thursday, 8 November 1934, 10:45 pm. (+) Wednesday, 14 November 1934, 10:45 am. (+)

8 Fats Waller on the Air

Thursday, 15 November 1934, 10:45 pm. (+) Monday, 26 November 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Monday, 3 December 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Thursday, 6 December 1934, 10:45 pm. (+) Monday, 10 December 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Monday, 17 December 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Monday, 24 December 1934, 11:15 am. (+) Monday, 31 December 1934, 11:15 am. (+) p 23. Correct typo in the Pittsburgh Courier listing, should be Monday, 18 March 1935, 4:15 pm, but see listing below and broadcasts from Los Angeles. Continuing with the New York Times radio listings. All as “Fats Waller, Songs.”. The frequency of the broadcasts is considerably reduced. Monday, 14 January 1935, 4:15 pm. (+) Monday, 21 January 1935, 4:15 pm. (+ time) Monday, 28 January 1935 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Monday, 4 February 1935, 4:15 pm. Friday, 8 February 1935 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Monday, 11 February 1935 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Friday, 15 February 1935 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) Monday, 18 February 1935, 4:15 pm. (+) Monday, 25 February 1935, 4:15 pm. (+) Saturday, 9 March 1935, 6:15 pm. (+) [last “Fats Waller, Songs” broadcast] Monday, 18 March 1935 – Fats Waller not listed. (+) p 27. The Associated Recorded Program Service also issued a transcription with a similar number “A 254” with the Adrian Rollini Novelty Trio on Side-A and Sammy Liner on the reverse, with no Fats Waller (Ate van Delden email 20 April 2008). This author has received three Associated test pressings. All the stick- on labels are missing except one, as follows, which has the tune titles and Thomas “Fats” Waller typed on the label. The issued Associated transcriptions had the tune titles printed and using the pseudonym “Flip Wallace” as per the example in the book photo section.

Additions and Corrections 9

p 28. The Newspaper Radio Logs at http://www.jjonz.us/RadioLogs provide the following radio listings for Stations KFAC and KHJ from the Los Angeles Times as “Les Hite’s Orch. & (or “and” or “with”) Fats Waller” unless where stated. All broadcasts are given as Pacific Standard Time and are of 30–minutes duration, unless stated otherwise. Prior to the fist date below, and after Monday, 15 April 1935, the listings have Les Hite’s Orchestra without Fats Waller. Location: Frank Sebastian’s New Cotton Club, Culver City, California. Personnel as given by Frank Driggs for a 1935 photo of Fats Waller at Se- bastian’s Cotton Club in the liner notes for the 1978 Lp RCA CPL1-2904(e) “Fats Waller, A Legendary Performer” are: Les Hite, sax, band leader; Lloyd Reese, t, sax, arranger; George Orendorff, t; Marshall Royal, as, cl; Marvin Johnson, as; Charlie Jones, ts; Parker Berry, tb, arranger; Luther “Sonny” Cra- ven, tb; Henry Prince, p; Bill Perkins, g; Joe Bailey, b; Preston “Peppy” Prince, d. A similar line-up (except for trumpet) is given for a recording session in June 1935 by Les Hite and his Orchestra in the book Marshal Royal, Jazz Survivor by Marshal Royal and Claire P. Gordon [Continuum, New York. 1996], and which has Peppy Prince as the vocalist on one tune.

Monday, 18 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Tuesday, 19 March 1935, 10:45 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Wednesday, 20 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Thursday, 21 March 1935 – newspaper listing incomplete. Friday, 22 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ.

10 Fats Waller on the Air

Saturday, 23 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Sunday, 24 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Monday, 25 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Tuesday, 26 March 1935, 10:45 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Wednesday, 27 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Thursday, 28 March 1935, 8:45 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Friday, 29 March 1935, 8:00 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Saturday, 30 March 1935, 8:15 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Sunday, 31 March 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Monday, 1 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Tuesday, 2 April 1935, 10:45 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Wednesday, 3 April 1935, 8:00 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Thursday, 4 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Friday, 5 April 1935, 8:00 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Saturday, 6 April 1935, 8:15 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Sunday, 7 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Monday, 8 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Tuesday, 9 April 1935, 10:45 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Wednesday, 10 April 1935, 8:00 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes];10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Thursday, 11 April, 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Friday, 12 April 1935, 8:00 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller & Les Hite’s Orch.” 15–minutes];10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:30 pm, KHJ. Saturday, 13 April 1935, 8:15 pm, KFAC [“Fats Waller,” 15–minutes]; 10:30 pm, KFAC; and possibly 11:00 pm, KHJ [as “Dance Bands”]. Sunday, 14 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. Monday, 15 April 1935, 10:30 pm, KFAC; 11:00 pm, KHJ. There is also an isolated broadcast with Fats Waller listed for Sunday, 21 April 1935 at 11:00 pm over KHJ, but this is almost certainly in error since the KHJ listing is duplicated for this time, and the other entry does not have Fats Waller. Delete comment “It is not known if he kept the broadcast engagement.”

Additions and Corrections 11

Fats Waller at Frank Sebastian’s New Cotton Club, Culver City, CA. Fats is flanked by his manager Phil Ponce (left) and Frank Sebastian and Les Hite (right). Photo from the collection of Linda Fitak.

12 Fats Waller on the Air

Additions and Corrections 13

Photo captions from previous page:

Top photo: Another shot at Sebastian’s Cotton Club, similar to the one in FWotA. Photo from Belle Gretter and Iley Brown, II, owners of the original print. Bottom Photo: Another photo from the same session. Photo from the collection of Ed Burke.

Photo from the collection of Chris Gamble. p 29. I wrote previously “The New York Times radio logs for Saturday, 25 May 1935, for station WEAF at 9:00 pm has “Himber Orchestra; Mixed Trio; Fats Waller, Piano” but presumably Fats did not appear because according to the NBC program analysis cards he only appeared twice on Radio City Party, as stated in FWotA.” However, the Radio City Party Master Log sheet for 1 June 1935 says “Fats Waller’s numbers all have been recorded” (as mentioned in FWotA), and although the script for 8 June 1935 mentions Waller performing “in person,” it seems the tunes played are all from recordings since there is no dialog with Waller, and “I Hate To Talk About Myself” is definitely from Vic- tor 25039 since the record number is noted in the script. Hence, my comment about Waller not appearing over WEAF on 25 May 1935 may not be correct. The New York Times for Monday, 1 July 1935, at 7:15–7:30 pm ET over WABC has “Fats Waller, Piano.” (JJ’s radio logs). The Logansport Pharos–Tribune for Wednesday, 14 August 1935, has:

14 Fats Waller on the Air

“Fats” Waller, the “hotter than hot” piano-playing conductor, will bring his recently formed orchestra to the air for a limited engagement of broadcasts over the WABC-Columbia network beginning this Saturday, August 17, from 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. EDST. (Carl Hällström email 13/5/10 with NA newspaper scan)

The Racine Journal-Times for Wednesday, 2 October 1935, has the follow- ing: Fats Waller and his orchestra will be featured on the Breakfast Table program over WRJN tomorrow morning from 8:00 to 9:00 oclock [sic]: Fats and the orchestra will play “You’re So Darn Charming” and the new English song hit from Jack and Jill, “I’m On A See-Saw.” Nelson Eddy, Ray Noble, Jeannette McDonald and Eddy Duchin will also be heard on the broadcast. (Carl Hällström email 28/5/11 with newspaper scan)

Carl Hällström and I have checked the Los Angeles Times radio logs from 23 August to 27 November 1935, since Fats had journeyed to Hollywood in the late summer of 1935 for his role in the film King of Burlesque, but we can find no mention of his name in the radio logs, although there are numerous references to Les Hite and his Orchestra.

The Washington Post radio logs have “Fats Waller” every Sunday for a 15– minute program over local station WOL from 3 November 1935 to 3 May 1936, at 9:30–9:45 pm EST, except the last two broadcasts on 26 April and 3 May 1936, which were at 8:30–8:45 pm EST. Since Fats had numerous engagements in New York and elsewhere during this period, it seems unlikely that he trav- elled to Washington, D.C., every Sunday for six months, although the broadcasts are not mentioned in the New York Times radio logs. Station WOL had an ar- rangement with the Mutual Broadcasting System network, which might possibly have arranged a wire from New York, but this is purely speculative.

The New York Times for Tuesday, 17 December 1935, at 3:00 pm ET over WABC has “Louis Long; Sheila Barrett, Comedienne; Heywood Brown; Com- mentator. Fats Waller, Piano.” (JJ’s radio logs). p 32. Le Petit Mirscha (as Mirsha), recorded commercially for Disque Gram- ophone on K7437 (Paris, 1935, with Michel Warlop orchestra inc. Django Rein- hardt) and K7481 (also with Django), and possibly others. See also p 39 (Andre- as Schmauder email 17 Sept. 2006).

Additions and Corrections 15

Label from the 16″ transcription disc for The Magic Key of RCA broadcast for Sunday, 9 August 1936 (see page 37). From a private collection.

P 50. The New York Times radio logs for Thursday, 20 January 1938, has “Waller Orchestra” over WEAF at 11:00–11:30 pm ET (Carl Hällström email 23 June 2007 and confirmed by JJ’s Radio Logs). The following information is from the script for the show (Carl Hällström email 11 July 2007).

Broadcast: RCA Victor Dance Time Thursday, 20 January 1938 NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center, New York City, New York. (*) Station WEAF, 11:00–11:30 pm EST. Commercial broadcast sponsored by RCA, and advertising RCA radios and Fats Waller records. Announcer: George Hicks. Fats Waller and his Victor Recording Orchestra. Titles played were “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (opening theme), “Marie,” “Ne- glected” (script says “Waller” rather than “Orchestra” indicating a piano solo), “She’s Tall, She’s Tan, She’s Terrific,” “Honeysuckle Rose” (piano solo), “Don’t You Know Or Don’t You Care,” “St. Louis Blues,” “The Joint Is Jumpin’,” “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (closing theme). The following week’s show was announced with Larry Clinton and his Or- chestra.

For the Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club broadcast for 24 March 1938, please add the following dialog and tune title from the marked-up script after “It

16 Fats Waller on the Air

Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” and which I inadvertently left out of the book. (Carl Hällström email 3 November 2009, and script)

Sharbutt: That was great boys . . . and now I want to introduce your guest of the evening . . . that good natured . . . always smiling . . . friend of Swing FATS WALLER. Fats: Thank you Del . . . and it’s good to be here . . . my, my . . ah . . ah. Sharbutt: Well what’s it gonna be Tom? Fats: Ah . . . let me see? A little ditty by Benny Goodman . . . When Dreams Come True . . . Well all right then . . . Fingers get playful. If Dreams Come True – Fats Waller, p/v, with Rhythm accompani- ment.

Note the title “If Dreams Come True” is misstated in the script, but not on the approved list of tune titles. The actual broadcast then follows with the dialog and tune titles as on page 51, which does not follow the script closely. During “Honeysuckle Rose” in the final medley, Fats says “C’mon Sedric” indicating the Rhythm band. Although the script clearly states this is “Program #2,” there were two series of broadcasts sponsored by Steinie Bottles running concurrently, called Steinie Bottle Boys Jamboree on Monday’s commencing 21 March 1938, and another called Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club on Thursday’s starting on 24 March 1938. Thus, the Swing Club broadcast with Waller is the first of this series. (Carl Häll- ström email 4 November 2009) In 2016 I received a copy of part of the broadcast with Del Sharbutt’s open- ing remarks which has Fats doodling on the piano in the background, followed by the male vocal “Steinie Bottle Boys” group and studio orchestra with “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” apparently without Waller. p 51. Sunday Morning Swing Concert for 10 April 1938, on line starting “Martin Block, MC” revise to “with Fats Waller and others as noted below.” (Carl Hällström email 22 May 2006), and add (*) at the end of the first line start- ing “Jam session” to indicate a correction to FIF, see note on p.52 regarding FIF (Carl Hällström email 28 May 2006).

Additions and Corrections 17

Tribune magazine, July 1945, with cover photo of Fats on his visit to Copenhagen in 1938. Photo scan provided by Martin Westin. p 53 . The Wisconsin State Journal radio log for Saturday, 16 April 1938, has “Swing Club (WBBM): Ted Husing becomes narrator; Fats Waller and Sal Franzella guestar” over Chicago station WBBM at 7:00–7:30 pm CT (8:00–8:30 pm EST). Fats was probably in New York at the time and the New York Times radio log for the same date has Saturday Night Swing Club over station WABC at 8:00–8:30 pm EST but without naming the guests. (Carl Hällström email 3/1/10 with NA newspaper scan and JJs Radio Logs).

Broadcast: America Dances, 17 May 1938. In an email 15 December 2005, Ate van Delden in Holland said he has a glass based acetate of part of this

18 Fats Waller on the Air broadcast, which was recorded off the air from the BBC broadcast by the late Andre Eschauzier, a pre-war Dutch jazz collector and amateur saxophone player, which Ate obtained from his estate. Ate advised (email 6 June 2006) that it was recorded on a “Simplex” home recording disc. Herman Autrey, t; Gene Sedric, cl/ts; Fats Waller, p/v–1; Al Casey, g; Cedric Wallace, sb; Slick Jones, d. (audible identification). (a) St. Louis Blues (piano solo, complete) Announcer introduces “Sweet Sue.” Sweet Sue –1 (part) (Total 3:27 minutes)

(b) Sweet Sue (continued after break in vocal) Announcer introduces “Rosetta.” Rosetta (part, cut short after 18-secs, then an abrupt start to the fol- lowing) The Joint is Jumpin’ –1 (part, and with vocal break) (Total 3:27 minutes)

Broadcast: Saturday Night Swing Club, 2 July 1938. Carl Hällström writes in an email 31 October 2006 as follows: The July 2, 1938 CBS Saturday Night Swing Club broadcast was originally heard over WABC and the CBS network at 8:00–8:30 pm EDST and was fully repeated—probably from recordings—at 11:00– 11:30 the very same evening, again over the same stations and also beamed via short-wave to Europe. Source: the NYT radio logs. I have also read in the Melody Maker that “last week’s program” was repeated via short-wave “the next Saturday” at a more friendly time for European listeners.

Carl considers that since the previous Saturday Night Swing Club broadcast on 25 June 1938 was a special 90–minute Second Anniversary Show finishing “in the middle of the night,” the broadcast on 2 July might have been an edited 30–minute version of highlights from the previous broadcast (Carl Hällström email 1 November 2006). p.54 . The NBC broadcast on 5 July 1938 is not listed in the New York Times radio schedule, but has “Savitt’s Orchestra” over WEAF at 7:30–7:45 pm. The Washington Post also has “J. Savitt’s Orch.” over WRC at 6:30–6:45 pm. It ap- pears that the Waller broadcast was a change of schedule. (JJ’s radio logs).

Concerning the WEAF broadcast scheduled for 9 July 1938, Carl Hällström writes in an email 1 November 2006 as follows:

Additions and Corrections 19

Fats was originally booked on Sat. July 9, 1938 for 10–minutes, 10:45–10:55 pm EDST on local NY-station WEAF and the NBC Red network as well. Thus the Chicago newspapers listed him via local station WMAQ at 9:45 to 10:00 pm CDST. The reason he didn’t appear at all was that the previous program, “Dedication to Station WGY’s new studios” in Schenectady, NY, ran over-time.

To complete the listing, radio schedules list the broadcast for Saturday, 9 July 1938. The New York Times has “Fats Waller Rhythms” over WEAF at 10:45–10:55 pm (EST), the Washington Post has “Fats Waller” over WRC at 9:45–10:00 pm, The Chicago Daily Tribune has “Fats Waller” over WMAQ at 9:45–10:00 pm (CST), and the Los Angeles Times has “Fats Waller” over KFI at 6:45–7:00 pm (PST). As noted in FWotA the broadcast was cancelled. p 55. For the NBC broadcast on 12 July 1938, the New York Times radio schedule has “Waller Orchestra” over WEAF at 7:30–7:45 pm, the Washington Post has “Fats Waller” over WRC at 6:30–6:45 pm, and the Los Angeles Times has “Fats Waller” over KFI at 3:30–3:40 pm. Similarly, for the NBC broadcast on 16 July 1938, the New York Times has “Fats Waller Music” over WEAF at 8:30–8:45 pm, the Washington Post has “Fats Waller” over WRC at 7:30–7:45 pm, and the Chicago Daily Tribune has “Waller orch.” over WMAQ at 7:30 (JJ’s radio logs). p 56 For the Piano Time broadcast on 15 July 1938, the New York Times radio schedule has “Fats Waller. Piano” over WEAF at 6:15–6:25 pm, and the Washington Post has “Fats Waller” over WRC at 5:15–5:30 pm. Regarding the NBC broadcast on 19 July 1938, the New York Times radio schedule has “Waller Orchestra” over WEAF at 7:30–7:45 pm, the Washington Post has “Fats Waller” over WRC at 6:30–6:45 pm, the Chicago Daily Tribune has “Waller’s orch.” over WCFL at 6:30–6:45 pm, and the Los Angeles Times has “Fats Waller” over KFI at 3:30–3:45 pm (JJ’s radio logs). p 57. The Alton Evening Standard for Wednesday, 11 August 1937, has an advert for Fats Waller and his Orchestra at the Harmony Club for Friday, 13 August. The radio listing for the same issue has Fats Waller’s Orchestra over station WIL at 11:15 pm. (Carl Hällström email 19/12/09 with NA newspaper scan). Master tape MT-1727 is for the Panther Room broadcast of 27 Decem- ber 1940, not 10 December 1940 as stated, see p.105 (Carl Hällström email 23 May 2006).

20 Fats Waller on the Air p 63. It has been suggested that the announcer for the Yacht Club broadcast of 14 October 1938 is Leon Lee and not Lyle Van as stated, by comparison with the announcer on Rudy Vallee Hotel Astor programs from 1936–1938, and a Woody Herman broadcast of 24 August 1939. This author has not compared the broadcasts and therefore this needs to be corroborated. (email Rudi Hoitz 29/3/2019).

p 66. In comparing the announcer’s voice from the two Yacht Club broad- casts on 14 and 18 October 1938, the latter is not that of Lyle Van. Please amend to “Announcer: Unknown” for the broadcast 18 October 1938. However, please note later comment above for p 63. p 67. The William Savory collection at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem has an uncoated aluminium disc of part of the Yacht Club broadcast of 22 Octo- ber 1938, with “I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams,” “When I Go A-Dreamin’” [corrected spelling], and “The Spider And The Fly” on one side, and “Alliga- tor Crawl” on the reverse side. In addition, John Landry has two double-sided Presto 10-inch 78 rpm ace- tate discs recorded by his grandfather Robert C. Bacon of Wellesley Hills, Mass., recorded off the radio, probably in the Boston area. The four sides, or about 16-minutes in total, have the first eight tune titles from this broadcast, from “Yacht Club Swing” up to part of “I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams.”

Additions and Corrections 21 p 73. Add the following broadcast: Broadcast: Martin Block Jam Session Wednesday, 23 November 1938 Station WNEW, New York City, New York. (*) Charlie Teagarden, t; Jack Teagarden, tb/v–1; Bud Freeman, ts; Pee Wee Russell, cl; Fats Waller, p; Eddie Condon, g; Artie Shapiro, sb; Zutty Singleton, d. I’m Coming Virginia [4:35 mins] Honeysuckle Rose [6:29 mins] Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland China Boy The Blues –1 [5:24 mins] I Got Rhythm

In August 2010, the National Jazz Museum in Harlem announced they had acquired the William Savory Collection of 975 discs of broadcast recordings from the late 1930s to 1940, featuring performances by artists like Louis Arm- strong, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Bunny Berigan, Lester Young, and Fats Waller. At the time, Bill Savory was hired to maintain the recording equipment by a New York studio specializing in transcribing live performances off the air for radio networks and advertisers, and he made the recordings to check the au- dio balance in the recordings, and for his own enjoyment. Initially, only a dub was found in the Savory collection which has “I’m Coming Virginia” and “I Got Rhythm” with inferior sound quality. Doug Pomeroy, who is currently (September 2010) digitizing the recordings (some of which have missing labels, so there may be more unknown treasures in the col- lection) says in an email to the author dated 18 August 2010:

The date scratched into the aluminum disc is November 23, 1938. The first tune (com- plete) is “I Got Rhythm.” After that tune M(artin) Block announces the personnel and signs off the program. After that we hear “I’m Coming Virginia” as Band TWO, which is an incomplete performance. So, it is possible the latter number is from some other broadcast. We can only assume that both tunes are from the same broadcast, since Savory only scratched the one date on the disc, and both performances are on the same side. The pause [ST: gap between the two recorded performances] between the end of “I Got Rhythm” and the start of “I’m Com- ing Virginia” can be explained by Savory’s note that this disc is a DUB.

The dubbed disc is a 12” aluminum disc recorded at 78 rpm (Doug Pomeroy email 25 August 2010). Subsequently, excellent sound quality discs have sur- faced which include the first three titles, but it is possible that the last title “I Got Rhythm” with fine sound is also on another as yet undiscovered disc (Loren Schoenberg emails 16 September 2010). In a follow up email dated 15 February 2011, Doug Pomeroy says:

We finally found the disc with the better sounding version of I Got Rhythm. The broadcast date now appears definitely to be 38-11-23, as several of the discs have this date clearly engraved in the lacquer.

22 Fats Waller on the Air

The question is, what was the original sequence of the songs on this broadcast – it’s not entirely clear from the auditory evidence, but here’s an educated guess:

1) I’m Coming Virginia (Block greets Waller: “Hi’ya Waller.”) 2) Honeysuckle Rose 3) Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland 4) China Boy 5) The Blues (Block clearly announces “I Got Rhythm” as the next number) 6) I Got Rhythm (Block says goodnight) p 74. Joseph Schillinger recorded high quality broadcasts from his New York studio on East 57th Street, and dubbed the Waller segment onto one 12” blank. The label reads: “AROUND NEW YORK” Leith Sevens Conducting – Fats Waller – “The Joint Is Jumpin’” “Summertime” “Savoy”. Arr. by George B. Leeman. p 77. For the Martin Block Jam Session of 14 December 1938, the order of tunes played is in doubt. Due to a typo error the order of tunes is different on page 77 (which is the same as the reconstruction including Block’s comments by John R.T. Davies) to that on page 247 (which is the order on the Savory dub, see below). p 79. Martin Block Jam Session.

John R.T. Davies "Project 8" RPD13/RPD14 10″ Lp with pasted on labels, from a tape supplied by Ed Kirkeby in 1952/53. Sound quality is slightly better than other issues which use the 1947 transcription by Boris Rose. Collection of the author. p 80. The Bill Savory collection (see p 73 above) also contains a recording of the Martin Block Jam Session of 14 December 1938, in much higher audio fidel- ity than any other known recording of the broadcast. “The Blues,” with more

Additions and Corrections 23 introduction by Martin Block than other versions, may be heard on the New York Times web site at . . . www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/08/17/arts/music/savory-collection.html. This broadcast recording is on a 16” lacquer disc dub recorded at 33-1/3 rpm. The date scratched into the lacquer is “12/14/1938” which again confirms the correct broadcast date. The order in which the tunes were recorded on the dub is as follows, and differs from that suggested in FWotA page 77, although it is the same as page 247. However, there still remains some doubt about the order because the Savory disc is a dub. “Jeepers Creepers” is defective and incom- plete on the Savory disc (Doug Pomeroy emails 25 and 27 August 2010). On The Sunny Side Of The Street The Blues Jeepers Creepers I Got Rhythm Tiger Rag Honeysuckle Rose

Doug Pomeroy has listened to his disc transfer again and says (Email 30 August 2010):

The 16” disc is a high quality dub. But being a dub, it could be edited, and was: the re- cording stops and then starts again right at the point Block asks Louis about his singing voice, on Side One. There is no way I can know how much of the program is missing. Nor can I know how much audio might be missing at the side change, since the start of Side 2 is unplayable! What I meant by defective recording is that the speed of the recording changes in Jeepers Creepers. The speed of the disc being dubbed was changed while it was being copied–for reasons we will never know. The performance of Jeepers is incomplete: after the weird speed changes, the recording was stopped and the next song begun with a clean start. There is also a physical defect: Both sides of the 16” [disc] have a small area where the lacquer is cracked and starting to flake, which causes surface noise. Presumably most of the noise can be removed. Effected are the starts of Jeepers (song 1 on Side 2), and Sunnyside (song 1 on Side 1). p 82. The George Jessel and his Celebrities broadcast of 12 July 1939 has the following dialog during the “Interview” section: Jessel: You mean, in your European travels, you’ve probably picked up toasts in many languages, do you know any more? Waller: Well, here’s the Scandinavian toast: “Min skål, din skål, alla vackra flickors skål.” Jessel: What does that mean? Waller: That means “Yeah, maan.” Erlend Hegdal provided the above Swedish spelling which means “A toast to me, a toast to you, a toast to every beautiful girl.” In addition, Erlend says that a 1938 Swedish movie called Styrman Karlssons flammor includes a song by the same title as the Swedish toast, and according to a Wikipedia article, the movie

24 Fats Waller on the Air premiered in Stockholm on 19 September 1938, which by coincidence is the very same say that Fats performed his first concerts in the very same city! (Er- lend Hegdal email 26 July 2006). p 87. The Washington Post radio listings have the following two broadcasts over Station WMAL: Friday, 13 October 1939, 11:15–11:30 pm EST. “Waller Orch.” (see note) Friday, 20 October 1939, 7:00–7:30 pm EST. “Fats Waller’s Orchestra”

The NBC files confirm the broadcasts as “Fats Waller and Southland Or- chestra” with the following information, and they originate from the Southland night club in Boston where Waller had a two week engagement as mentioned by Ed Kirkeby in Ain’t Misbehavin’ (p 209). It is possible that Fats had broadcasts every evening from the Southland during his stay but the NBC files show only the network broadcasts (Carl Hällström emails 16 August 2007 and 26 Septem- ber 2007. JJ’s Radio Logs).

Friday, 13 October 1939. Local station WBZ and the NBC Blue Network, 11:00–11:30 pm EST. The time is no doubt correct because the way the Wash- ington Post presents the radio listings with “European News” at 11:00 pm which was probably a news summary. Tunes listed: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” [signature tune], “Abdulla,” “Last Two Weeks In July,” “What’s New,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Bless You,” “Comes Love,” “Honey Hush,” “The Moon Is Low,” “Hold My Hand” [closing theme].

Friday, 20 October 1939. Station WBZ and the NBC Blue Network, 7:00– 7:30 pm EST. Tunes listed: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” [signature tune], “Abdulla,” “Babe Me,” “Can I Help It,” “Babe What Else Can I Do,” “My Prayer,” “It’s All Over Town,” [medley] “At Least You Could Say Hello” / “Honey Hush,” “Why Couldn’t It Last Last Night,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Hold My Hand” [closing theme]. Logs). p 88. The original Lang–Worth 16″ “Planned Program Service” transcription label says “RECORDED, PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED BY RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc., Camden, N. J., U. S. A.” The tune title on the above label is “I’m A Bum,” while the 8″ Lang– Worth CI-84 has “Hallelujah, I’m A Bum.” The 16″ transcription has separate tracks for each tune, not a continuous recording [Original transcriptions, collec- tion of the author].

Additions and Corrections 25 p 90. Advertisement in the Chicago Daily Tribune for Saturday, 12 August, 1939, indicating Fats Waller “opening tonight.”

p 91. The New York Times radio listings for Thursday, 24 August 1939, has “Waller Orchestra” over Station WEAF 12:00–12:30 am (Carl Hällström email 13 September 2007, JJ’s Radio Logs). The Chicago Daily Tribune has “Walter’s orch” (sic) over Station WMAQ at 11:00–11:30 pm CT. p 92. For the broadcast dated 7 September 1939, the tune title given as “(?) And His Dream” is most probably “A Man And His Dream” (Carl Hällström email 28 May 2006). p 93. For the broadcast dated 8 December 1939, the tune title given as [pos- sibly A Garden “In The Rain” may be either “September In The Rain” or more likely “Lilacs In The Rain,” a contemporary pop tune (Carl Hällström emails 28 May and 20 June 2006). The announcer for the broadcasts 3 and 10 December 1939 given as Dare(?) Zimmerman, is probably Darryl (Carl Hällström email 28 May 2006).

26 Fats Waller on the Air p 95. For the Chicago Tribune radio listings, the entry for Wednesday should read as follows: Wednesday—WMAQ at 11:00 pm and WENR at 12:30 am on 20, 27 November and 4, 11, 18, 25 December. The Chicago broadcasts are 30–minutes duration, and those relayed from New York are 25–minutes to allow for a news summary. The times listed for local Chicago stations WMAQ and WENR are CST, while those from the NBC Master Log (p 95 to p 99) are EST, one hour later. Also, please note that some broadcasts were made only over local Chicago sta- tions WMAQ and WENR, and others were only over the NBC Red or Blue net- works (excluding Chicago stations) and heard in New York over local stations WEAF or WJZ, while others were broadcast over both the Chicago stations and the NBC network. The New York Times radio listings at these times only have “News, Dance Music,” or similar, without naming Waller, while the Washington Post lists Fats Waller over station WRC at 12:00 am (midnight) on Sunday, 17 November and 22, 29 December. Gene Krupa’s Orchestra appears in the Chicago Tribune listings starting from Thursday, 2 January 1941, over WENR at 11:00 pm and 12:30 am, replac- ing Waller.

Above photo: Fats with Scotsmen. Unknown location and date. I am told the car is a 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe 2-door Sedan. Photo collection of the author.

Additions and Corrections 27 p 99. The Washington Post radio guide for Friday, 25 October 1940, has “Fats Waller is Bill Gottlieb’s Man With Baton” on Station WRC at 10:30-11:00 pm EST (JJ’s Radio Logs). Apparently, this is the famous jazz photographer (Carl Hällström email 5/5/2009). An advertisement for the State-Lake Theatre in the Chicago Tribune of Friday, 3 January, 1941, indicates the show opened the same day (Carl Häll- ström email 3 March 2007). p 103. In April 2006 Steven Lasker (U.S.A.) provided a copy of a 10″ acetate in the collection of Jon Zeiderman of a broadcast with Fats Waller accompany- ing a harmonica player performing “Dinah,” and reported to be dated 9 Decem- ber 1940. At the time, Fats was playing the Panther Room at the Hotel Sherman and Larry Adler was also on the program about the same time, but Steven Lasker tells me that a second acetate exists without Fats where the harmonica player is named but it is not Larry Adler. A studio orchestra can be heard near the end of the recording, which also suggests the WGN or similar broadcast, not a Panther Room broadcast. Please note the Station WGN In Chicago Tonight broadcast on 5 December 1940 (p 106) includes Larry Adler. p 106. Karl Pearson has identified the “unnamed announcer (B)” on the Pan- ther Room broadcast of 28 December 1940 as Henry Cooke, a long time NBC staffer, who is also heard on the Ellington broadcast of 7 September 1940 which closes out with “St Louis Blues.” Karl does not know the name of “Announcer (A)” on the previous Panther Room broadcast of 27 December 1940 (Carl Häll- ström email 2 January 2007). The In Chicago Tonight broadcast over Station WGN at 7:30 pm is also mentioned in the Wisconsin State Journal for Thursday. 5 December 1940, with guests Helen Gleason and John Lodge of “Night of Love”; Larry Adler, Fats Waller, Bob Evans, and Curt Massey (JJ’s Radio Logs). p 113. Treasury Hour broadcast also mentioned in the “Listener’s Choice” section of the Chicago Daily Tribune over Station WLS at 7:00 pm (Central Standard Time) (JJ’s Radio Logs). p 117. The Chicago Daily Tribune radio listings for 22 and 29 January and 5 February 1942, all have Duffy’s Tavern at 7:30 pm over station WBBM with Ed Gardner, Shirley Booth, and Fats Waller’s orchestra, although whether Fats ac- tually appeared at every date remains questionable. The same newspaper listing for Monday, 9 February 1942, has “Fats Wal- ler’s orchestra” over WMMB at 12:30–1:00 am (next day), and for 12, 18, and 19 February 1942 over WBBM at 1:00 am (next day) for a 15–minute broadcast. The Chicago Tribune for 22 January also has a block ad for Fats Waller at the Down Beat Room of the Garrick Stagebar, 58 W. Randolph Street (see be- low). The broadcast date of 2 February 1942 may be incorrect since there is no

28 Fats Waller on the Air specific mention of it in the Chicago Tribune radio listings for that date (Carl Hällström email March 2007).

p 117. Stage Door Canteen – The New York Times for Thursday, 20 May 1943, has this broadcast over Station WABC from 9:30–10:00 pm EST, with Governor Charles Edison of New Jersey, Helen Menken, Mary Martin, Akim Tamiroff, Fats Waller, and George Jessel. The Wisconsin State Journal of the same date also has the broadcast over WBBM at 8:30 pm (CST), but mentions Paulette Goddard instead of Mary Martin. The Chicago Daily Tribune has the same broadcast over WBBN but without mentioning Fats Waller (JJ’s Radio Logs). “Fats” In Fact (page 278) says that the International Musician reported that on his return journey from Philadelphia, Fats stopped off at Newark, New Jer- sey, to attend the opening of the Sixth Stage Door Canteen of the American The- atre Wing on 20 May. This was also reported in the New York Age of 18 June which added that among the other guests of honour was the State Governor, a keen record fan, and that after playing a number of records, Fats asked him for an autograph for his sons Maurice and Ronald who were with him. However, FIF does not mention that this engagement was broadcast. p 119. The radio listings in The San Antonio Light newspaper for Wednesday, 8 July 1942, have Fats Waller over Station KMAC from 5:15–5:30 pm. (Carl Hällström email 12/5/10 with NA newspaper scan). The New York Times radio logs have two broadcasts called “Fats Waller Records” over WNEW at 9:15–9:30 pm (EST) on Thursday, 24 September 1942, and Thursday, 15 October 1942.

Additions and Corrections 29

p 122. Chamber Music Society broadcast date and time is confirmed by the Chicago Daily Tribune radio listing for 1 August 1943, broadcast over Chicago station WENR at 8:15 pm (CST), with guests Jerry Colonna and Fats Waller (Carl Hällström email March 2007, JJ’s Radio Logs). p 124. JJ’s Radio Logs have the following broadcasts in the Washington Post listed as “Fats Waller.” It is not known if these are live or recorded programs. Saturday, 15 August 1942, Station WINX at 6:15–6:30 pm EWT (Eastern War Time). Saturday, 22 August 1942, WINX at 6:15–6:30 pm EWT. Saturday, 12 September 1942, WINX, 10:15–10:30 pm EWT. Wednesday, 4 November 1942, WINX, 8:15–8:30 pm EWT. Tuesday, 5 January 1943, WINX, 5:30–5:45 pm EWT. Thursday, 7 January 1943, WINX, 5:30–5:45 pm EWT. Thursday, 18 March 1943, WISV, 4:00–4:15 pm EWT.

The Million Dollar Band broadcast is also mentioned in the Wisconsin State Journal for Saturday, 21 August 1943, over Station WIBA at 9:00 pm (CST) with “Fats Waller, guest conductor.” The Chicago Daily Tribune has the broad- cast over WMAQ at 9:00 pm with “Million Dollar Band, with Fats Waller’s or- chestra (sic),” and the New York Times has the broadcast simply as “Barry Wood: Orchestra” over WEAF at 10:00 pm (EST), but without mentioning Wal- ler. p 125. Newspaper broadcast schedules for 23 September 1943 have “Third War Loan Drive Show” over Station WABC from 3:15–3:30 pm, which may refer to the Personally, It’s Off The Record broadcast [JJ’s Radio Logs]. p 126. The What’s New broadcast is listed in the Wisconsin State Journal for Saturday, 13 November 1943, over Station WLS at 6:00 pm CWT (Central War Time) with “Don Ameche and Susanna Foster, screen actress and singer; Sonny Tufts, screen actor; Thomas “Fats” Waller, pianist-composer; Bert Lahr, come- dian; Jim Ameche interviewing Sister Elizabeth Kenny on her work in treating infantile paralysis.” The broadcast is also listed in the New York Times for Saturday, 13 Novem- ber 1943, over Station WJZ at 7:00–8:00 pm (EWT) with Don Ameche, Sister Elizabeth Kenny, Susanna Foster, Sonny Tufts, Fats Waller, and Bert Lahr, and in the “Listener’s Choice” section of the Chicago Daily Tribune for the same date over local Chicago station WLS at 6:00 pm (CWT) with Don Ameche, M.C. and the other guests except Sonny Tufts. The Los Angeles Times lists the program over Station KFCA at 4:00 pm (PWT) but without listing the guests (JJ’s Radio Logs).

30 Fats Waller on the Air

The date is consistent with Waller’s movements since according to Ed Kirkeby he arrived in Hollywood on 8 November 1943 and says Fats appeared on the What’s New show (quote) “during the first week” in Los Angeles. Fats became unwell on 17 November with a severe case of influenza and remained in bed for the next ten days. It seems the previously stated date of Saturday, 4 De- cember 1943 is erroneous. p 128. The Charlie McCarthy Show is also listed in the “Listener’s Choice” section of the Chicago Daily Tribune for Sunday, 5 December 1943, over Sta- tion WMAQ at 7:00 pm (CWT), with guests Bert Lahr and Fats Waller, and the Wisconsin State Journal of the same date over Station WIBA at the same time, which also mentions guest Jane Powell.

Photospread

Photo of Fats Waller with Les Hite and Frank Sebastian. Carl Hällström has pointed out that another photo from the Frank Driggs Collection reproduced in the booklet with Lp RCA CPL1-2904 has Waller, Hite, and Sebastian wearing the very same clothes as in the book photo, and titled “Fats Waller at Sebastian’s Cotton Club, Culver City (1935),” and so the book photo is most probably from the same location and date. Marshall Royal in his book Marshal Royal: Jazz Survivor (Continuum Publishing Group, 1996) says that Sebastian’s Cotton Club was located in Culver City, California, on Wash- ington Boulevard, near the MGM studio. Also note the Pittsburgh Courier quote from March 1935 on page 24 of FWotA, referring to Waller at Sebastian’s Cot- ton Club. Thus, the book photo caption location and date should be revised (Carl Hällström email 24 May 2006).

Fats Waller, probably mid–1930s. The same photograph with a different inscription is in Maurice Waller’s book Fats Waller, and captioned “Fats at about thirty-one,” which would date the photograph to circa 1935. However, a photograph of Waller at Sebastian’s “New Cotton Club” (see page 28 revisions above), of him wearing the same clothes, strongly suggests that the book photograph was taken at the same time in March 1935.

With a boxer; Nottingham, England, 1939. The dog is a bulldog (not a boxer) called Belulah, given to him by a fan in London.

Two photos with Anita dated 14 June 1939.

Additions and Corrections 31

The liner is the Ile de France, not Isle de France. Maurice Waller says in his book about his father (page 138) that for the 1939 trip to Europe “This time Mom decided to remain home, making sure that Ronnie and I kept up our schoolwork.” The ship manifests for 1938 also have Anita listed as a passenger, but not on the 1939 manifests. Thus, the two photos are probably from leaving Southampton on the Ile de France on Saturday, 1 October 1938.

32 Fats Waller on the Air

Above photos: Recording room for NBC broadcasts at the RCA Building, Radio City, New York City. From the 1947 short film “Behind Your Radio Dial: The Story of NBC.”

Additions and Corrections 33

Cab Calloway with Fats. Unknown location and date. Collection of Jean-François Pitet, The Hi de Ho Blog www.thehidehoblog.com/

Chapter 3 – Broadcast Tributes and Other Programs

p 147. The New York Times has “Fats Waller Memorial Show” over Sta- tion WNEW on Tuesday, 21 December 1943, at 10:35–11:30 pm (EST), with guests Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, and others. At least part of the broadcast has survived, in which the announcer intro- duces Martin Block who continues as follows:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. As our announcer already noted, this is an unusual tribute. When a great man passes away a great sad- ness is felt by those who knew and loved him. There are many amongst us that know this sadness but there are more of us that know how Fats would have wanted it. He was a man who’s great aim in life was to offer joy and laughter through his inimitable piano and singing technique, and especially his outstanding compositions. He’d be happy to know that this joy and laughter, the music he created, continued and will continue to be a part of things America.

34 Fats Waller on the Air

Tonight we pay tribute to this artist, a tribute composed chiefly of his music, played by musicians who for years were closely associated with him both as musicians and friends. Mr. Josephson, the owner of Café Society downtown, has cooper- ated to make this evening an outstanding one, completing the tribute with a gesture that would have pleased Fats. Part of the funds taken in tonight will be given to one of Fats Waller’s favourite interests, the Amsterdam News Boys Fund. Tributes are usually associated with long speeches. Let me end mine quickly and instead, offer the tribute of Fats Waller music that speaks so eloquently. Tonight, many of the great musicians of our day will be here to offer a musical salute. And it’s now my pleasure to in- troduce a great friend of Fats Waller’s and a great artist. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce first . . Count Basie.

Then follows a short interview with Count Basie who then plays “Honey- suckle Rose” with his orchestra. (7-minute recording from Len Pogost).

p 150. The Sounds of Surprise, Thomas “Fats” Waller T.V. production has been issued on DVD as “Fats Waller – This Joint Is Jumpin”” has been is- sued on Screen Edge EDGE56D (2008).

p 151. Riverwalk program No.38. Correct Allan Vache to Allan Vaché, from the Riverwalk information at http://www.riverwalk.org/profiles /allenvac.htm. Recorded at The Landing, San Antonio, Texas, on 4 February 1992, and first broadcast on 11 July 1992 (email from Pacific Vista Productions, Inc., the producers of the program, 22 August 2006).

Add the following Riverwalk broadcasts.

Broadcast: Riverwalk, Live From The Landing 1989 The Landing, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., broadcast over the American Public Radio Network (now Public Radio International), and other U.S. stations. Rec- orded 27 May 1989, first broadcast on 29 May 1989 (ref Pacific Vista Produc- tions email 24 August 2006), and rebroadcast on satellite feed 28 May 1990 (ref Ken Dryden CD copy and emails May 2006). Program No.3: “It Ain’t Over ‘Til The Fat Man Swings.” The broadcast celebrates Fats Waller’s birthday “eighty-five years ago this month.” Copy of broadcast and detailed information provided by Ken Dryden (U.S.A.) in May 2006. Complete. 59:08 minutes.

Additions and Corrections 35

George Fenneman [GF] (Announcer), Groucho Marx’s former straight man, with guests Dick Hyman [DH], p, and Marty Grosz [MG], g/vocals, and the Jim Cullum [JC] Jazz Band [personnel as FWotA page 151 except Jack Wyatt, sb]. Opening theme and spoken introduction [GF and JC]; “Crazy Bout My Ba- by” [JCJB]; JC introduces the following medley and guest MG, g/v; “Ain’t Mis- behavin’”/“Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now”/“Honeysuckle Rose”; GF talks about FW’s early career, and introduces guest DH; “The Jitterbug Waltz” [DH piano solo]; DH talks about the previous tune; “Wildcat Blues” [DH and JS piano du- et]; JS demonstrates the difference between ragtime and stride; “Handful of Keys” [DH + JS piano duet + JCJB]; JC talks about FW and Al Capone; “Wil- low Tree” [DH + JS piano duet + JCJB]; JC introduces MG who talks about FW as composer; “Lonesome Me” [MG + JCJB]; GF introduces following FW re- cording; Short excerpt from 1941 Radio Newsreel FW interview with Eddie “Rochester” Anderson [see FWotA page 107]; “Minor Drag” [DH + JS + MG + JCJB]; GF station identification, followed by “Minor Drag” (reprise) [DH + JS piano duet]; GF talks about the station’s “Catfish Club”; “You’re Not The Only Oyster In The Stew” [MG + JCJB]; DH introduces next tune; “Bach Up To Me” [DH piano solo]; JC introduction of recording of Maurice Waller talking about Harlem rent parties; “Stealin’ Apples” [DH + JS piano duet]; GF talks about the “Catfish Club” quiz; Closing theme and station announcements [GF + JCJB].

Broadcast: Riverwalk, Live From The Landing 1991 The Landing, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., broadcast over Public Radio Interna- tional, and other U.S. stations. Recorded 30 April 1991, first broadcast on 11 July 1991 (ref Pacific Vista Productions email 23 August 2006), and rebroadcast on satellite feed 10 June 1999 at 11:00 am ET (Pacific Vista CD, August 2006). Program No.24: “Harlem Big Three: The Music of Fats, James P. and Willie ‘The Lion’.” Copy of broadcast provided to the author in August 2006 by Margaret Pick, Ex- ecutive Producer, Riverwalk Jazz, Petaluma, Ca., U.S.A. Complete. 58.37 minutes. David Holt (Announcer)[DHo], with guest Dick Hyman, p, with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band [personnel as FWotA page 151]. Opening theme and introduction by DHo, followed by talk about James P. Johnson [JPJ]; JPJ’s tune “You’ve Got To Be Modernistic” [JCJB]; DHo talks about Willie “The Lion” Smith [WTLS] followed by WTLS’s “Bring On The Band” [JCJB with JS + DH]; DHo talks about Fats Waller followed by FW’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” [JCJB]; advert for “See’s Old Time Candies” and River- walk productions; JC introduces DH who plays WTLS’s “Finger Buster” (piano solo); reading from WTLS’s book Music on My Mind; WTLS’s “Morning Air” [DH + JS piano duet]; further reading from Music on My Mind; WTLS’s “The Old Stomping Ground” [JCJB]; advert for “See’s Old Time Candies”; DHo and DH discuss JPJ and stride piano technique; JPJ’s “Caprice Rag” [DH + JS piano duet]; DHo and DH discuss and demonstrate the different piano styles of JPJ,

36 Fats Waller on the Air

FW, and WTLS; FW medley “Sugar Rose / How Can You Face Me?” [DH + JS piano duet]; JC talks about FW on the organ; FW’s “Smashing Thirds” [JCJB with JS + DH]; DHo closing announcements and JCJB theme.

Broadcast: Riverwalk, Live From The Landing 2001 The Crest Theatre, Sacramento, Ca., U.S.A., broadcast over Public Radio Inter- national, and other U.S. stations. Recorded 25 May 2001 (ref Pacific Vista Pro- ductions email 22 August 2006), first satellite feed 4 October 2001 at 11:00 am ET (Pacific Vista CD, August 2006). Program No.40: “I Wish I Were Twins: The Fats Waller Bluebird Sessions.” Announced as “Riverwalk from the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee,” presented by “See’s Candies.” Copy of broadcast provided to the author in August 2006 by Margaret Pick, Ex- ecutive Producer, Riverwalk Jazz, Petaluma, Ca., U.S.A. Complete. 58.45 minutes. David Holt (Announcer), with guests Dick Hyman, p, and Rebecca Kilgore [RK], v, with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band [personnel as FWotA page 151, except Ron Hockett, cl; Kenny Rupp, tb; Mike Waskiewicz, d]. DHo talks about FW’s Bluebird recordings, with short excerpts from several FW records; “I Wish I Were Twins” [JCJB with JS + DH]; DHo describes how FW was a Bluebird “B” list artist with no control over the choice of music he recorded; “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter” [JCJB with JS + DH + RK]; DHo talks to RK about how she became aware of FW’s Blue- bird recordings; “Until The Real Thing Comes Along” [JCJB with JS + DH + RK]; DHo talks about FW’s marathon Bluebird sessions, and DH comments on the high quality of the recordings, and JS and DH give examples of the silly lyr- ics FW had to record with Bluebird; “You’ve Been Taking Lessons In Love (From Somebody New)” [JCJB with JS + DH]; program break to mention the “Sacramento Jazz Jubilee”, and sponsor The Brown Foundation, Inc., Houston, Tx., and Riverwalk productions; DHo quotes FW’s son Maurice talking about the poor material his father was forced to work with; “I’m On A See-Saw” [DH + JS piano duet]; DHo and DH talk about the side comments FW made on the recordings; “Got A Bran’ New Suit” [JCJB with JS + DH]; DHo says FW was loved and admired by jazz musicians, fans and critics, and JS and DH tell anec- dotes about FW; “All My Life” [JCJB with JS + DH + RK]; program break (similar to previous break); “The Curse Of An Aching Heart” [JCJB with JS + DH]; “My Very Good Friend The Milkman” [JCJB with JS +DH + RK]; “Oh Suzanna, Dust Off That Old Pianna” [JCJB with JS +DH]; DHo closing remarks and acknowledgements, closing with “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie” [JCJB with JS + DH]. The name of the radio series was officially changed from Riverwalk, Live From The Landing to Riverwalk Jazz in 2003 (ref Pacific Vista Productions email 4 August 2006).

Additions and Corrections 37

Broadcast: Riverwalk Jazz 2004 San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A., broadcast over Public Radio International, and oth- er U.S. stations. First broadcast as a 100th birthday celebration on 1 July 2004, rebroadcast in April 2005, and also presented on the weekly Riverwalk program online at www.riverwalkjazz.org for the week 27 July 2006, from which the following data is obtained. The program numbers change with each iteration of the broadcast (ref Pacific Vista Productions email 4 August 2006). Program No. RW30/2006 (see above note): “The Harmful Little Armful: The Incomparable Fats Waller.” Complete. 59:01 minutes. David Holt (Announcer), with guests Dick Hyman, p, and Dan Morgenstern [DM], Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University, with previ- ously recorded selections by the Jim Cullum Jazz Band [personnel same as FWotA page 151, 1992 Program No.38, except on the 1996 and 1997 JCJB re- cordings Evan Christopher, cl, replaces Alan Vaché (ref Pacific Vista Produc- tions email 22 August 2006)]. Opening theme and introduction by DHo; FW verbal intro, followed by “Handful Of Keys” [JCJB from 1992 with JS + DH]; DHo commentary on FW with short excerpts from several FW recordings; “I’ve Got A Feeling I’m Fall- ing” [JCJB from 1992 with JS + DH]; DHo talks about FW’s recording career; recording of Ralph Sutton playing “Viper’s Drag” (piano solo recorded in 2000); DHo introduces DM who talks about seeing FW in Copenhagen in 1938; part of FW recording of “The Joint Is Jumpin’” merging with the JCJB (from 1992) playing the same number; advert for “Citracal” and Riverwalk programs; DHo talks about FW’s piano technique; FW verbal intro, followed by “Ain’t Misbe- havin’” [JCJB from 1996 with JS + DH + Vernel Bagneris, v]; “Honeysuckle Rose” [JCJB from 1997 with JS + Nina Ferro, v]; DHo talks about FW on the pipe organ with a recording of DH playing excerpt from “Amazing Grace”; “Smashing Thirds” [JCJB from 1991 with JS + DH], advert for “Citracal”; DHo talks about FW’s busy career; “Jitterbug Waltz” [DH piano solo]; DM describes how FW was mainly concerned with the melody; “My Fate Is In Your Hands” [DH + JS piano duet]; DHo asks DM how FW’s career might have evolved if he had lived longer; “Willow Tree” [JCJB from 1992 with JS + DH]; “Minor Drag” [JCJB from 1992 with JS + DH]; DHo closing announcements.

Animated Cartoons

A character based on Fats Waller appears in a number of animated cartoons as described below. Many cartoons prior to and from the World War II era are routinely edited for television and other commercial issues due to inappropriate material including racist jokes, graphic violence, or other reasons. However, there are eleven cartoons called the “Censored Eleven” which in 1968 were deemed so offensive because of the racial stereotypes of black people, Jews,

38 Fats Waller on the Air

Japanese, Chinese, and Germans, that they were banned outright by United Art- ists. This policy continued after Ted Turner bought the distribution rights of all pre–1948 Warner Brothers cartoons in 1986, and has been largely upheld with some exceptions after Time Warner bought Turner Broadcasting in 1996. Sever- al other cartoons have been removed from circulation, but have not been added to the “Censored Eleven.” (from Wikipedia articles). Three cartoons on the “Censored Eleven” list include Fats Waller charac- ters, namely Clean Pastures, The Isle of Pingo Pongo and Tin Pan Alley Cats. Some of the cartoons can be seen on YouTube.

The Old Mill Pond Originally released: 7 March 1936. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Happy Harmonies. Directed by: Hugh Harman. Produced by: Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising. Running Time: 8–minutes. Synopsis: From a scene at the old mill pond, a frog preacher invites the frog gathering to a jazz concert with the frog band directed by Cab Calloway, with Ethel Waters, Fats Waller at the piano and Bill Robinson tap dancing., the Mills Brothers, Stepin Fetchit, and ends with Louis Armstrong playing “Tiger Rag.” Excellent musical score and animation. Cartoon released by Warner Home Video in 2008 as a special feature on DVD “Born To Dance / Lady Be Good” featuring Eleanor Powell.

Clean Pastures Originally released: 22 May 1937. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies. Directed by: Friz Freleng. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger Studios. Running Time: 8–minutes. Synopsis: Opens with a Harlem night club scene with drinking and gambling, but up in heaven (called Pair-O-Dice), a disgusted St. Peter is worried about all the sin and partying and sends down angel Stepin Fetchit who sets up a stand “Pair-O-Dice Needs You” but has no success with passersby who include Bill Robinson and Al Jolson. The angels in heaven, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Don Redman, and Cab Calloway, convince St. Peter to send an angel swing band to attract the people. Cab Calloway sings and directs the Mills Brothers, Fats Waller (who plays two pianos, one with his hands and one with his angel wings!), and Louis Armstrong. They all return to Pair-O-Dice with the new fol- lowers, the last person to enter being the Devil. Some of the musical numbers come from the Warner Brothers feature film The Singing Kid (1936). This cartoon is one of the “Censored Eleven.”

Additions and Corrections 39

Swing Wedding Originally released: 13 February 1937. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by: Hugh Harman. Produced by: Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising. Running Time: 8–minutes. Synopsis: Another frog genre cartoon with a sexy Ethel Waters about to be mar- ried to a reluctant Stepin Fetchit. Cab Calloway arrives on the scene and Ethel, impatiently waiting for Stepin, changes her mind and decides to marry Cab in- stead because he’s got swing. Fats Waller plays the piano and best man Bill Robinson sings and tap dances. Louis Armstrong urges Stepin to return and con- vinces Ethel that Stepin also has swing by blowing a very hot tune which brings Stepin to life, accompanied by Fats Waller. They play so hard that Fats destroys the piano and Louis (amazingly) uses one of the trumpet keys as a syringe to inject himself in the arm!! The cartoon was re-released in abbreviated form on 2 March 1942 as “Hot Frogs” by the Soundies Distribution Corporation.

Little Ol’ Bosko and the Pirates Originally released: 1 May 1937. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by: Hugh Harman. Produced by: Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising. Running Time: 8–minutes. Synopsis: Little black boy Bosko’s mammy gives him a bag of cookies to take to his grandmother. As he walks through the woods he gets in a barrel to paddle over the water and encounters a pirate ship. Pirate frog Louis Armstrong hoists

40 Fats Waller on the Air him aboard to find frogs Stepin Fetchit, the Mills Brothers, and Bill Robinson. Bosko is told to walk the plank unless he hands over the cookies, but he does a tap dance routine accompanied by a band which includes pirate frogs Cab Cal- loway and Fats Waller on piano. The ships gunpowder blows up landing Bosko back in the barrel boat to escape home.

Little Ol’ Bosko and the Cannibals Originally released: 21 August 1937. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by: Hugh Harman. Produced by: Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising. Running Time: 10–minutes. Synopsis: Again, little black boy Bosko’s mammy gives him a bag of cookies to take to his grandmother. As he walks through the woods he ends up on Cannibal Island full of cannibal cookie-eating frogs. The King Frog Louis Armstrong wants the cookies but Bosko doesn’t want to hand them over. A song about cookies with frogs the Mills Brothers, Fats Waller on the piano, and with Bill Robinson tap dancing, directed by Cab Calloway. Bosko tries to run away but is met by fierce cannibal frogs that chase him. The King Frog catches Bosko and makes him walk the plank over a boiling cauldron. Final scene with cast of char- acters and band climax, when Bosko manages to run away. The cartoon has been withheld from television due to the black stereotypes.

The Woods Are Full Of Cuckoos Originally released: 4 December 1937. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies.

Additions and Corrections 41

Supervision: Frank Tashlin. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger. Musical Direction: Carl W. Stalling. Running Time: 7:10 minutes. Synopsis: An owl (from Alexander Woolcott’s Town Crier radio program) an- nounces over KUKU radio (a play on ‘Cuckoo’) that the “Woodlands Communi- ty Swing is now in session,” and introduces “Ben Birdland” (Ben Bernie) as Master of Ceremonies, who proceeds to introduce a variety of movie, radio, and Hollywood celebrities of the time, using mainly bird characters, including a brief appearance by “Fats Swallow” with derby hat at the piano.

September In The Rain Originally released: 18 December 1937. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies. Directed by: Friz Freleng. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger Studios. Running Time: 5:45 minutes. Synopsis: The rain is outdoors at night, but inside a grocery store the characters come to life from packet labels. A worm pops out of an apple and chicks chase him from a “My Ami? Powder” packet. Little girl Judy Garland with an umbrel- la sings under a waterfall from a “Threaded Wheat” label, and Mickey Rooney joins her from an “Uneedum Crackers” box. A “Dream of Wheat” Al Jolson sings “September In The Rain” joined by Aunt Jemima from “Aunt Emma Pan- cake Flour.” “Domingo Cigarette” (Ginger Rogers) and “Tarey Town Ciga- rettes” (Fred Astaire) dance together. Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong from a “Gold Rust Twins Washing Powder” label sing and play “Nagasaki” with Fats at the piano from a “Piano Wax” box. Closing scene of the grocery store with the rain falling outdoors.

42 Fats Waller on the Air

Little Ol’ Bosko in Bagdad Originally released: 1 January 1938. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Directed by: Hugh Harman. Produced by: Hugh Harman, Rudolph Ising. Running Time: 10–minutes. Synopsis: Yet again, little black boy Bosko’s mammy gives him a bag of cook- ies to take to his grandmother. As he walks through the woods in the dark he wishes he had a magic red carpet, whereupon a large turbaned Louis Armstrong frog genie appears complete with trumpet who produces a magic carpet and they are both whisked away to Bagdad to the Sultan’s palace. Doorman Stepin Fetchit opens the palace door and they are shown in to see turbaned “De Sultan” frog Fats Waller playing the piano. They try to entice Bosko into handing over the cookies with frog belly-dancers, and then Bill Robinson offers him some fruit but still Bosko refuses. Fats pulls a lever to send Bosko to the dungeons where machinery is in motion to force him to drink Caster Oil but he escapes and Louis and Fats find themselves on the receiving end of the machinery, with Bosko conducting “De Sultan’s Band,” and the cartoon ends with Louis sending him back to the woods.

The Penguin Parade Originally released: 11 August 1938. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies. Directed by: Tex Avery. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger Studios. Words and music by: Byron Gay. Running Time: 7:40 minutes.

Additions and Corrections 43

Synopsis: Penguins and a few walruses arrive for the grand opening of the “Club Iceburg” at the North Pole, which includes a penguin floor show with MC Cliff Nazarro, Bing Crosby and others. A jazz band plays a lively number and Fats Waller makes a brief appearance at the piano as “Fats-Walrus.”

The Isle of Pingo Pongo Originally released: 14 September 1938. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies. Directed by: Tex Avery. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger Studios. Running Time: 9–minutes. One of the “Censored Eleven” banned from TV. Synopsis: A luxury cruise from New York to the isle of Pingo Pongo, some- where in the South Seas, where the visitors see examples of the local fauna and the activities of the black “natives” with their “savage rhythms,” during which a Fats Waller character sings “Sweet Georgia Brown” without a piano, together with Mills Brothers caricatures.

Hollywood Bowl Originally released: 5 October 1938. Studio: Universal Pictures. Directed by: Elmer Perkins. Produced by: Walter Lantz. Running Time: 7–minutes. Among the stars seen in this cartoon are Leopold Stokowski, Hugh Herbert, Gre- ta Garbo, Groucho Marx, Bing Crosby (and his horses), Charlie McCarthy, W. C. Fields, Joe Penner (who is given the cold shoulder by Edna Mae Oliver), Ned Sparks, Clark Gable, Charles Laughton, Joe E. Brown, Katherine Hepburn, Ben Bernie, Fats Waller, Rudy Vallee, Martha Raye, Benny Goodman, Cab Callo- way, Fred Astaire, and Jack Benny.

Mother Goose Goes Hollywood Originally released: 23 December 1938. Studio: Walt Disney Studios Silly Symphony. Running Time: 8–minutes. Synopsis: This cartoon portrays the latest Hollywood stars as characters from classic Mother Goose nursery rhymes, and opens with Mother Goose replacing the MGM roaring lion. The other characters are too numerous to mention but include W. C. Fields as Humpty Dumpty with Charlie McCarthy, and Edward G. Robinson and Greta Garbo in See Saw Margery Daw. The finale includes Cab Calloway and his band popping out of a Four and Twenty Blackbirds pie and Fats Waller at the piano with the Marx Brothers, and Stepin Fetchit. Issued uncut in 2006 on a two DVD set “Walt Disney Treasures, More Silly Symphonies.”

44 Fats Waller on the Air

Tin Pan Alley Cats Originally released: 17 July 1943. Studio: Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies. Directed by: Robert Clampett. Produced by: Leon Schlesinger Studios. Running Time: 7–minutes. Synopsis: A Fats Waller cat strolls through a moonlit scene to the tune “By The Light Of The Silvery Moon” to visit the Kit Kat Club to be tempted by wine, women and song, rather than listen to the sermons from Uncle Tom Cat’s Mis- sion next door with their revival band playing outside. In the club he plays a jazz version of “Nagasaki” with Louis Armstrong on trumpet which gets so hot that when Fats says “Send me outa this world” his wish is granted and the trumpet blows him to a Wackyland full of strange characters including Hitler, Stalin, and Japanese enemies. This scares him so much that he shouts “Get me outa here” and returns back to earth but this time he’s learnt his lesson and joins the Tom Cat Mission band playing drums on “Gimme Dat Ol’-Time Religion.” Due to budget limitations and wartime shortages, several audio and visual se- quences including “Nagasaki” are colour re-drawn re-used segments from Sep- tember In The Rain (1937, see above) and Porky In Wackyland (1938). This cartoon is one of the “Censored Eleven.”

Your Feet’s Too Big Originally released: 1983. Produced and directed by: Nancy Beiman. Music from the commercial recording by Fats Waller and his Rhythm. Running Time: 3:38 minutes.

Additions and Corrections 45

Synopsis: A cartoon elephant performs to the music of Fats Waller.

Jazztime Tale Originally released: 1992. Studio: Live Home Video, Inc. Directed by: Michael Sporn. Produced by: Michael Sporn Animation, Inc. Running Time: 29–minutes. Synopsis: It is 1919 in Harlem and young black girl Lucinda is on her way home from the market when she stops to hear some religious singing from her neigh- bour Fats Waller’s house. Meanwhile across town, the father of white girl Rose is preparing to go to the Lincoln Theatre where he is a talent scout for vaudeville artists. Rose hides in her father’s car on the way to the Lincoln, and after they arrive, sneaks out to explore the street. She stops to hear music coming out of Lucinda’s house and is invited in to hear Fats Waller play the piano. Lucinda’s family take Rose to the Lincoln that evening. Miss Mullins plays the theatre pi- ano for the silent movies and allows Fats to sit in. Then, when the regular organ- ist is away sick, the theatre owner Mrs Downes allows Fats to play the organ. Fats’ school friends encourage him to play jazz and when he does so the theatre audience is wildly enthusiastic and Fats is offered a regular job. Rose’s father, who found one of Rose’s bangles near his car, frantically looks for his daughter and finds her in the theatre safe with Lucinda and her family. Narrated by actress Ruby Dee. The soundtrack music is not by Fats Waller.

Appendix B – Discography

JSP 4 x CD box set JSP927 (issued in 2007) includes recordings previously listed as “Unissued in other formats” and “Unissued, recording exists” and so these comments should be removed on pages 165, 167, 168, 172, and 173. See “Additional CDs” section below. p 162. Add “B = Brazil” to country list (Victor Brazil issues added). p 163. In the sentence “The following abbreviations . .” add HL = Horst Lang’s German 78 rpm discography (see p 312 below). p 167. Add take descriptions for Mx. 36773 “St. Louis Blues”: 36773 take descriptions. Final organ phrase at end of record: -1: Ends with organ chord played twice. -2; Ends with single organ chord lasting about 1-1/2 seconds.

46 Fats Waller on the Air

Trinity Church Building, Camden, N. J. Ray Sooey (directing) George Hopkins (tenor) with E. J. Quinby (organ), 1930. Photo from the collection of Dr. John Landon. p 168. Revise take descriptions for Mx. 2800 “Shut Your Mouth”: 2800 take descriptions. Beginning of third vocal sequence: -1: “Boy, there was some stealin’ done last night. Shut your mouth” -2: “There’s some stealin’ done in the store last night. Who was it? Shut your mouth” Revise take descriptions for Mx. 37358 “Sloppy Water Blues” for greater clarity: 37358 take descriptions. Record ends with: -1: Final long organ chord lasting about 2–seconds. -3: End of chorus without a long organ chord, and with a single bass note. p 169. Mx. 37361-3 “Messin’ Around With The Blues” on Vi 20655-A also confirmed by Mark Berresford as Take-3 in the wax, from his copy listed on eBay (ref Mark Berresford email 13 July 2006).

Additions and Corrections 47 p 172. Revise first line of take description for Mx. 38052 “Won’t You Take Me Home” to read: 38052 take descriptions. Second break 21–seconds from start of record: For Maude Mills Mx.7293 and 7294, change Re 8348 from Take-1 to Take-2. A copy of Regal 8348 was listed in VJM’s Jazz & Blues Mart #160, Summer 2011, and Mark Berresford confirmed that it has 7293-2 and 7294-2 in the wax and complies with the discography take descriptions for Take-2 (email Mark Berresford 26 May 2011). Laurie Wright in “Fats” In Fact said that he had an unconfirmed report that Regal 8348 shows matrix numbers 7293-1 and 7294-1, so there is a possibility that a different pressing of Regal 8348 exists with Take-1.

Victor Records Catalog, November 1929. Collection of the author. p 173. Correct “Stinette” to “Stinnette”, as per Victor 21062 record label. p 181. Mx. 56068-2 “Baby, Oh! Where Can You Be?” (pipe organ solo) is a false alternate take as advised by Ted Kendall, who used a vinyl test pressing labelled as Take-3 for the 2006 JSP 4 x CD box set JSP928. Take-3 is the full version with introduction/verse/chorus, while the truncated version (listed in the book as Take-3) is in fact a shortened version of Take-3 (otherwise the same acoustic event). Thus, the listing should be revised to show only two issued

48 Fats Waller on the Air takes, namely Take-1 and -3, with some issues using the truncated version of Take-3 (ref email Ted Kendall 16 August 2006). Delete CD Ember FBB908 for Mx. 56068-2. p 185. Mx. 56783 “Big Business—Part 2” prefix to the second take descrip- tion should read “-2” not “-3” as stated. p 187. Add suffix -A for ViAr 1AC-0135 for Mx.57927-2 and suffix -B for ViAr 1AC-0135 for Mx.57928-1 (eBay listing). p 188. Add 78 ViAr 22371-A for Mx.59720-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 22371-B for Mx.59721-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009).

Mx. 10195 “Arkansas Blues”. Laurie Wright in FIF says “Despite the claims on LP sleeves, the . . . title is thought to be from take-3.” However, Ted Kendall believes it is Take-1 as reissued on CD JSP JSP928. I wrote to Laurie about it and he replied (letter Sept. 2006) as follows: About forty years ago John R.T. [Davies] gained, or gained access to a number of rare recordings, dubbed them and issued them in limited numbers of white label pressings, mainly for friends. Among them were the two unissued MCBB sides. When I asked John which takes were used he said he was sure it was -3 of each. Some years later after I had published FIF, Michael Brooks came over to one of the Wimbledon ba- zaars and introduced himself and whilst looking at a copy of the book he said “I’ve got some things you should have.” I took little notice but some weeks later a package of records arrived from him, including two vinyl tests of 10194/5. If you don’t know, Columbia tests are oversized with the matrix information in the rim. These were ‘finished’—in other words, they were standard 10” pressings with Columbia top half labels and typed information in the bottom half. 10194-3 was typed and there was a scratched 10194-3 in the run-off area. Likewise 10195-1 was typed (and repeated in pencil on a blank reverse side label), but there was nothing in the wax. When I wrote to Michael to thank him for his gift I asked if these labels were accurate in the information they gave. He never responded and I have had no subsequent contact. So there we are, John originally thought -3 was issued but I don’t know his reasons. On the other hand the -1 shown on the label of my test is not conclu- sive, although I would now tend to think it IS -1.

Ted Kendall has rechecked the test record in the collection of John R.T. Da- vies and it has 10195-1 written on the label and nothing in the wax (Ted Kendall email 12 June 2007). In the absence of any further information, the greater prob- ability is that the issue of Mx. 10195 is Take-1, as listed in JR, and not -3 as in FIF. Add note to the discography to this effect.

Additions and Corrections 49

In addition, Ted Kendall confirmed that “Girls Like You Were Meant For Boys Like Me” is labelled 10194-3. p 190. Mx. 151839-1 “You Rascal You” has CoG DW4079, as in Horst Lange’s 1966 German discography as has Laurie Wright in “Fats” In Fact, but Jazz Records has Co DW4075 (ref Ate van Delden email 10 August 2007). p 192. 12122-1 take description should read “. . with last two words dipped in pitch.” p 193. Mx. 82527-1, correct Lp Swaggie 851106 to Swaggie 851 (Carl Häll- ström email 23 May 2006). Correct typo Bb B-10116-B for Mx.82526-1 should read Bb B-10016- B. Add 78 BbC B-10016-B for Mx.82526-1 (Keith T email July 2008). p 193~196. Remove Lp Swaggie 851 from individual matrix numbers for all three recording sessions, and add to the respective “All titles” sections. In addi- tion, it seems (confirmation required) that Lp JSP JSP1106 may be equivalent to Swaggie 851, and in that case should be listed as “JSP JSP1106 =” and added as an equivalent to p.308 (ref Carl Hällström email 24 May 2006). p 194. Add 78 Vi China (Shanghai) 24714-B for Mx.83699-1 and 24714-A for Mx.84107-1, rare and unusual Chinese Victor (eBay listing March 2009). Add CD Bb 82876-59951-2 = , for Mx.84106-1 omitted in error. p 197. Add 78 BbC 10115-B for Mx.86208-2 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 24830-A for Mx.86208-2 (Robert Stewart email 16 Feb- ruary 2008 with label scan). p 198. Add 78 ViAr 24830-B for Mx.86210-1 (Robert Stewart email 16 Feb- ruary 2008 with label scan). p 200. Correct Mx. 88777-1 Vi 24888-A to Vi 24888-B. Add 78 ViAr 24888-B to Mx. 88777-1 (eBay listing in August 2007). Add 78 ViAr 25027-A to Mx. 88780-1 (eBay listing in February 2006). p 201. Add 78 ViAr 25027-B to Mx. 88785-1 (eBay listing in February 2006). Add 78 ViAr 24888-A to Mx. 88787-1 (eBay listing in August 2007).

50 Fats Waller on the Air

Associated No. 263 transcription disc (p 26, 204). This 12″ disc is vertically cut with an outside start, and the recording lasts 6:25 minutes, Collection of the author. p 203. Add CD Jazz Unlimited 203-2076 for Mx.A270-2 "All titles" (omitted in error). Add CD Naxos 8.120577 for Mx.A271-2 "All titles" and remove from "E Flat Blues (listing error). Add TR Muzak 414 for Mx.A272-2 “All titles” (eBay listing 5/2009). p 204. For Hooray For Love add Warner Brothers Archive Collection 1000285438 DVD-R, made to order, from “best quality video-master available” but not remastered or restored. Add French Lp 37SM06 “Les Rois du Jazz - In The Groove” for Mx.89760-1 “Lulu’s Back In Town” (ref Agustin Perez email 28 March 2008, see www.discogs.com).

Additions and Corrections 51 p 205. Mx. 89760-2 “Lulu’s Back In Town” issued in 2007 on CD JSP946. Add 78 ViB 25044-B for Mx.89762-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25044-B for Mx.89762-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Mx. 89764-1 Electrola EG3602 [as JR, confirmed by Deutsche Na- tionalbibliothek Archive, May 2007. Not EG3607 as HL and FIF]. Add 78 ViB 25044-A for Mx.89764-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25044-A for Mx.89764-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 206. Add 78 ViB 25471-A for Mx.88989-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25075-B for Mx.88991-1 (eBay listing May 2008). p 207. Add 78 ViAr 25075-A for Mx.88992-1 (eBay listing May 2008). Add 78 ViB 26831-B for Mx.88992-1 “My Very Good Friend The Milkman” (eBay listing June 2009, clear label scan confirms record number). Add 78 BbC B-10322-B for Mx.88993-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 ViC 25087-A for Mx.88995-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 25087-A for Mx.88995-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC B-10322-A for Mx.88996-1 (Keith T email July 2008). p 208. Add 78 ViAr 25194-A for Mx.88997-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). For ViC 25194-A comments in square brackets add [ViC issue con- firmed by eBay listing 7/08]. Add 78 ViC 25087-B for Mx.88998-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 25087-B for Mx.88998-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 209. Add 78 ViAr 25116-A for Mx.92915-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25194-B for Mx.92916-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). For ViC 25194-B comments in square brackets add [, alternate cou- pling]. Add 78 ViAr 25116-B for Mx.92920-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 26831-A for Mx.92992-1 (eBay listing June 2009). p 210. Add 78 ViB 25123-B for Mx.92997-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViB 25123-A for Mx.94100-1 (eBay listing June 2009).

P 211. Mark Cantor and his associates have come up with some very tentative suggestions for the band members in the Fats Waller sequence in the film King of Burlesque, as follows (Marc Cantor email 9 September 2008): Possibly King Porter or Andrew Blakeney, t. [Mark prefers the latter] Teddy Buchner, tb [as FWotA]. Unknown alto sax, possibly Arcima Taylor. Possibly Bill Perkins, g. Possibly Joe Bailey, sb. Unidentified drums.

52 Fats Waller on the Air

p 213. Mx. 98898-1 Electrola EG3660 [as JR. Not EG3680 as HL and FIF, ref email Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Archive, May 2007]. p 216. Add 78 ViB 82-0265 [20-1595 in wax] for Mx.101667-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009]. Add 78 ViC 20-1595-B [presume dub] for Mx.101667-1 (eBay listing July 2008). p 217. Add 78 ViAr 25348-B for Mx.101668-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25348-A for Mx.101671-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 218. Add 78 ViAr 25652-B for Mx.102018-1 (eBay listing May 2008). Add 78 ViB 25471-B for Mx.102021-1 (eBay listing June 2009).

P 219 Add 78 ViAr 25374-B for Mx.102400-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25394-B for Mx.102401-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25374-A for Mx.102402-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Alberti Special Record ASR LB5120 change to LBD5120 (label repro- duced in VJM No.146, Summer 2007). Add 78 ViAr 25388-B for Mx.102403-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 25388-B for Mx.102403-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25394-A for Mx.102404-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 220. Add 78 ViB 25388-A for Mx.102405-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25388-A for Mx.102405-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009).

P 221. Add 78 ViAr 25415-B for Mx.0339-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add CD Recording Arts JZCD349 for Mx.0339-1 “S’posin’” omitted in error. ASR Change to LBD5120 as p 219. Add 78 ViAr 25415-A for Mx.0342-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 222. Add comment: 01801-1 or 01802-1 ViAr 32898 [unknown if vocal or instrumental version. Same number in wax] Add 78 ViC 20-1602-A [presume dub] for Mx.01805-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10016-A for Mx.01805-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add comment: 01807-1 or 01808-1 ViAr 32898 [unknown if vocal or instrumental version. Same number in wax] p 223. Add 78 BbC B-10100-B for Mx.03840-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 25499-A for Mx.03842-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25499-B for Mx.03844-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009).

Additions and Corrections 53

p 224. Add 78 ViAr 25537-B for Mx.04951-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 25537-B for Mx.04951-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25537-A for Mx.04952-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 25537-A for Mx.04952-1 (eBay listing June 2009). p 225. Add 78 ViAr 25554-B for Mx.06415-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25554-A for Mx.06418-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009).

p 226. Correct 78 ViAr 68-0864 to ViAr 68-0834-A for Mx.06581-1 and ViAr 68-0834-B for Mx.06582-1. Labels on both sides say “Jaleo” Victor, which means Jam in Spanish (eBay listing Nov 2009, ref Carl Hällström email). p 227. Add 78 ViAr 25563-A for Mx.07747-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25563-B for Mx.07748-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25571-B for Mx.07752-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 228. Add 78 ViAr 25571-A for Mx.07754-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add following for “Organ Tests” note. The recording is on Ristic 22-A between “Saxophone Doodle” and “Short Time” from the private recordings dated May 1937. These private recordings continue on Ristic 22-B, and the pri- vate recordings from 1943 (p 284) are on side Ristic 23-A. The alternate V-Disc recordings (p 289) are on side Ristic 23-B. Therefore, from this arrangement, it seems more likely the “Organ Tests” belong to the private recordings of May 1937. p 229. Add 78 ViAr 25608-A for Mx.010647-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 26838-B for Mx.010647-1 (eBay listing July 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25604-A for Mx.010648-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25604-B for Mx.010649-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25608-B for Mx.010650-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 230. Add 78 ViAr 25618-B for Mx.010652-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25651-B for Mx.010654-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC B-10115-A for Mx.010654-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 25618-A for Mx.010655-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25651-A for Mx.010656-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Remove CD RCA Jazz Tribune #23 from Mx.010655-1, since already included under “All titles” for 11 June 1937. p 231. Add 78 ViC 25681-B for Mx.013346-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 ViC 25681-A for Mx.013347-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 ViAr 25671-A for Mx.013348-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009).

54 Fats Waller on the Air

Add 78 ViAr 25671-B for Mx.013349-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViB 25679-A for Mx.013350-1 (eBay listing June 2009). p 232. Add 78 ViB 25679-B for Mx.013351-1 (eBay listing June 2009). Add 78 ViC 25689-A for Mx.014646-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Mx.014646-1 “The Joint Is Jumpin’” Ep set [IEPBT3024] correct to [EPBT3024].

Signed magazine cut, probably from 1938. Collection of the author. p 233. Add 78 ViC 25689-B for Mx.014647-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 25749-A for Mx.09884-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 234. Add 78 ViAr 25749-B for Mx.09885-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViAr 25806-A for Mx.021151-1 (eBay listing May 2008) and ViC 25806-A (Keith T email July 2008). p 235. Add 78 ViAr 25806-B for Mx.021153-1 (eBay listing May 2008) and ViC 25806-B (Keith T email July 2008). For the Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club broadcast of 24 March 1938, Fats Waller doodles away on the piano in the background during Del Sharbutt’s opening remarks. p 236.

Additions and Corrections 55

Add 78 ViC 25834-B for Mx.022430-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 ViC 25834-A for Mx.022432-1 (-ditto-). p 237. HMVIn 14030 confirmed as no dub, from original 78 in author’s col- lection. Add America Dances broadcast excerpts, ref p 53 of Broadcast Listing update as above. Unissued, recording exists. p 238. For Saturday Night Swing Club broadcast of 2 July 1938, add CD Doc- tor Jazz DJ010 “Dinnertime For Hungry Collectors” (2013) for both titles. p 240. Add 78 BbC B-10100-A [presume dub] for Mx.OEA-6383-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Mx.OEA-6383-1. Electrola EG6839 [as FIF, confirmed by Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Archive, May 2007. Not EG6389 as HL and JR. BR letter 15/5/99 says info from HL book]. Mx.OEA-6384-2. Electrola EG6839 [as FIF, confirmed by Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Archive, May 2007. Not EG6389 as HL and JR. BR letter 15/5/99 says info from HL book]. p 241. Delete El EG6647 from Mx. OEA-6387-3 (ref Jazzinstitut Darmstadt, Germany, email 4 Sept. 2006). Add El EG6647 to Mx. OEA-6388-3 (ref Jazzinstitut Darmstadt, Ger- many, email 4 Sept. 2006). CD Double Play (Tring) GRF095 also includes Mx. OEA-6385-3 “Swing Low, Swing Chariot” although it is not listed in the CD liner notes. Delete this CD from all individual tune titles for 28 August 1938, and add the CD to the “All titles” list for the same date.

Compton pipe organ photos.

56 Fats Waller on the Air

Compton Organ originally at the HMV Studios, Abbey Road, London, photographed at a private house in Cornwall, circa July 2007. Photo with kind permission of Len Rawle.

Additions and Corrections 57

Fats Waller at the Compton Organ, August 1938. Photo from the collection of Len Rawle. p 243 Add 78 BbC B-7885-B for Mx.027290-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-7885-A for Mx.027293-1 (-ditto-).

58 Fats Waller on the Air

New York Times advertisement for the Yacht Club:

p 247. Correct “Jeeper’s Creepers” to “Jeepers Creepers.” p 249. Add Mx. 031534-2 “Hold Tight [Want Some Sea Food Mama]” previ- ously unissued alternate take, issued on Bluebird/Legacy 82876-81125-2 (2006, see listing below). Add take descriptions as follows: 031534 take descriptions. Repeated vocal line near end of record: -1: “I want some seafood, mama.” -2: “I want some seafood, baby.” p 251. Revise description for 10″ issues to "This has a short introduction to “Chelsea” missing from all commercial issues except CD JSP JSP949 which uses the intro from the private Lp patched onto a copy of a 78 rpm record."

Additions and Corrections 59

Billy Higgs and Fats in the recording studio. Max Jones Archive. p 252. Add 78 BbC B10346-B for Mx.038207-1 (eBay listing July 2008). p 253. “Honey Hush” Mx. 038207. Add comment after take descriptions: “Bb/Legacy 82876-81125-D1 (2006) claims to use “038207-1/Bb 10346,” it is audible Take-2 as per the above take descriptions. Bb 07863-66552-2 (1995) liner notes also state “038207-1/Bb B-10346” and audibly it is Take-1. The orig- inal recording sheet has “Hold” for both takes, so it is unclear which take was used for Bb B-10346.” A vinyl test of either take with the take number on the label may help to solve the problem. Add 78 BbC B-10346-A for Mx.038210-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10437-A for Mx.038212-1 (Keith T email July 2008).

60 Fats Waller on the Air p 256. “I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby (incomplete),” part Mx. 2145, add CD Vogue VGCD600185 (Patrick Flanagan email 27 Jan 2007). p 258. HMVIn 14030 confirmed as no dub, from original 78 in author’s col- lection. Add 78 BbC B-10419-B for Mx.041531-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10419-A for Mx.041532-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10437-B for Mx.041533-1 (-ditto-). p 259. Add 78 BbC B-10500-B for Mx.043347-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10500-A for Mx.043348-1 (-ditto-). HMVIn B9582 confirmed as no dub, from original 78 in author’s col- lection. Vi 44-0009 add to comments in brackets [Same recording both sides, for use in juke boxes].

Chicago Daily Tribune advertisement, 22 September 1939. p 261. Add transcription (new line TR) Lang-Worth CI-85 [8″ transcription]

Additions and Corrections 61 for “Go Down Moses,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Deep River,” and “Lord Delivered Daniel,” as per eBay listing February 2006. The original 16″ “Planned Program Service” transcription label has “I’m A Bum,” not “Hallelujah, I’m A Bum” [author copy].

Lang–Worth 16″ transcription label. Collection of the author. p 263. Delete reference to missing 8″ Lang-Worth transcription, which is now included for p 261 as above. Mx. 043187-1 was apparently not issued on a Lang- Worth 8″ transcription. Correct RZAu G24502 to RZAu G24504 for “Swinga-Dilla Street” (Agustin Perez email 3 June 2008, with label scan). Add 78 BbC B-10858-B for Mx.044597-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10803-B for Mx.044598-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 ViB 82-0265 [20-1595 in wax] for Mx.044599-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 ViC 20-1595-A [presume dub] for Mx.044599-1 (eBay listing July 2008).

P 264. Remove CD Bb 07863-66552-2 from Mx. 044602-1 "Mighty Fine" since already included under "All Titles." Add 78 BbC B-10803-A for Mx.048776-1 (eBay listing July 2008). p 265. Add 78 BbC B-10730-B for Mx.048778-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10779-B for Mx.048779-2 (eBay listing July 2008).

62 Fats Waller on the Air

Add 78 BbC B-10779-A for Mx.048780-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10730-A for Mx.048781-1 (Keith T email July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10829-A for Mx.051865-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 62-0074 for Mx.051865-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 266. Add 78 BbC B-10892-A for Mx.051867-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10892-B for Mx.051868-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10858-A for Mx.051869-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10829-B for Mx.051871-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 ViAr 62-0074 for Mx.051871-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC B-10989-A for Mx.057083-1 (eBay listing July 2008). p 267. Add 78 BbC B-10943-A for Mx.057084-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-10967-B for Mx.057085-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10967-A for Mx.057086-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10943-B for Mx.057087-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-10989-B for Mx.057088-1 (-ditto-). Jazz Records lists the recording date for the Commodore session as Monday, 11 November 1940, and “Fats” In Fact says the 14 November date claimed by Mosaic looks suspect because the surrounding matrix numbers in the 29000 series supports the earlier date. However, The Complete Commodore Jazz Recordings was compiled with the assistance of Milt Gabler, so the actual date is in doubt. Revise paragraph about Commodore matrix numbers to read “ . . . which remains unknown except for “Georgia Grind” (see note).” p 268. Add the following comment after P-29054 take descriptions. P-29054. The author has a 16″ acetate dub with all three takes in a con- tinuous recording with studio noises between the takes, and the order of record- ing is -TK1, -TK-2, -1B, i.e., in reverse order to that in which they were issued. Under P-29054 take descriptions, revise -1 to -1B. p 270. Add broadcast recording of “Dinah” with Fats Waller, p/vocal com- ments; prob. Larry Adler, harmonica; Studio Orchestra at end, ref p 106 Broad- cast Listing update as above. Unissued, recording exists. p 272. Add 78 BbC B-11078-B for Mx.053794-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-11010-B for Mx.053795-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11102-B for Mx.053796-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11175-B for Mx.053797-2 (-ditto-). p 273. Add 78 BbC B-11010-A for Mx.053798-2 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11078-A for Mx.053799-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11188-B for Mx.059100-1 (-ditto-).

Additions and Corrections 63

Add 78 BbC B-11222-B for Mx.062761-1 (-ditto-). p 274. Add 78 BbC B-11383-B for Mx.062762-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11115-B for Mx.062763-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 ViC 20-1602-B for Mx.062764-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11102-A for Mx.062765-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11115-A for Mx.062766-1 (-ditto-). p 276. Add 78 BbC B-11222-A for Mx.063892-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11175-A for Mx.063893-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11296-A for Mx.063894-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11188-A for Mx.063895-1 (-ditto-). p 277. HMVIn B9582 confirmed as no dub, from original 78 in author’s col- lection. Mx. 061336-1 “Rump Steak Serenade” has single run off and groove dimensions as Bb B-11296-B. Add 78 BbC B-11296-B for Mx.061336-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Concerning the “Soundies,” Mark Cantor has the original sideline contract for the movie shorts, and the personnel listed on the contract are as follows: Hilda Offley Thompson, Winnie Johnson, Hilda Brown, Vivian Brown, Betti Mays, Virginia Fussell, Olive Prince, Mabel Lee, Jimmie Robinson, Buddy Phil- lips, John Smalls, Pauline Myers. Juanita Boisseau, Ella Bessi Smoak, King Johnson, Robert “Bobby” Johnson, Charlie Curran, Smalls Boxtins (unclear writing), Thelma (?), and another name which is completely illegible. (Mark Cantor email 27 June 2008). Click here for scans of the Soundie contracts. Jackie Lewis Parton describes her experiences working on the Soundies with Fats in the DVD “Soundies, A Musical History” (Liberation ASM00779. 2007), but for some reason is not listed in the contract unless hers is the illegible signature, but neither is Myra Johnson. Perhaps Johnson was considered part of Fats Waller’s band whose names are also not listed. p 278. Add 78 BbC B-11383-A for Mx.067946-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-11324-B for Mx.067947-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11425-B for Mx.067948-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11324-A for Mx.067949-1 (-ditto-). p 279. Add 78 BbC B-11425-A for Mx.068811-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC B-11539-B for Mx.068812-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 BbC 30-0814-A for Mx.068813-1 (-ditto-).

64 Fats Waller on the Air

Fats with unknown conductor. Date and location unknown. Collection of the author. p 280. Garrick Stagebar Café. 58 W. Randolph St., Chicago, Illinois. p 281. Add 78 BbC B-11518-A for Mx.073440-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViAr 29959 for Mx.07340-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC B-11539-A for Mx.073441-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 BbC B-11518-B for Mx.073443-1 (-ditto-). Add 78 ViAr 29959 for Mx.07343-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC B-11569-A for Mx.075423-1 (eBay listing July 2008). Add 78 ViB 82-0121 [B-11569 in wax] for Mx.075423-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). p 282. Add 78 BbC B-11569-B for Mx.075424-1 (eBay listing July 2008).

Additions and Corrections 65

Add 78 ViB 82-0121 [B-11569 in wax] for Mx.075424-1 (VJM No.155 Autumn 2009). Add 78 BbC 30-0814-B for Mx.075425-1 (eBay listing July 2008). p 283. Although the personnel for the sound recording is as stated with Benny Carter on trumpet, Carter does not appear on film but is replaced by the relative- ly obscure trumpet player Robert Carroll, who recorded with Snub Mosley’s band, miming to the music. An article in Down Beat for 15 August 1943 men- tions this, and a comparison of a 1944 photo of Carroll with the Mosley band from the Carnegie Museum of Art and stills from Stormy Weather confirm it is the same person. The entry by Richard Sears in V-Discs, A History and Discog- raphy (page 916) saying “John Carroll’s trumpet solos in the film were sound- tracked by Benny Carter” is incorrect. The trumpet player Robert Carroll should not be confused with the white trumpet player John Carroll, who played with the Stan Kenton orchestra, or the tenor saxophone player Bob Carroll, who can be seen in Don Redman’s short films. Add DVD for the Stormy Weather film in a new line under “Complete film,” 20th Century Fox 22183 (issued 2005). Change TCF-201 [ref Storyville # 162] for “That Ain’t Right” to [ref Storyville # 153]. CD Definitive DRCD11109 (issued 1999) is probably from nitrate opti- cal film negative, judging from the sound quality. Hence delete CD from dubbed listing and add to the nitrate section as “Definitive DRCD11109 [poss. ex TCF CD].”

66 Fats Waller on the Air

Fats Waller and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson on the set of “Stormy Weather,” January 1943. Collection of the author. p 284. Relocate CD Definitive DRCD11109 as for p 283. Add CD Doctor Jazz DJ010 “Dinnertime For Hungry Collectors” (2013) for “Martinique.” p 288. “You’re A Viper” 12″ Lp Slash ST103 correct to Stash ST103. p 290. The What’s New broadcast is almost certainly on Saturday, 13 Novem- ber 1943, not as stated. See page 126 above for details. p 291. Piano Rolls. Revise preface to “Dates given are possible release dates from a code on the roll box labels, but an alternative explanation is that the code refers to a deadline date for dealers to return unsold rolls for credit against new releases. Roll collector Frank Himpsl sourced the latter explanation from the late Mike Montgomery, although he has heard the same from other hard-core collec- tors as well.”

Additions and Corrections 67 p 294. Add the following information: In 2013 I corresponded with Frank Himpsl in the USA who has an ex- tensive collection of piano rolls. Frank uses an optical scanner to scan the rolls to computer from which he converts the data to MIDI files which can be played on the computer or, with suitable computer software, may be converted to .WAV or .MP3 audio files. See www.frankhimpslarchive.com. The Imperial Company produced the following piano rolls in competi- tion to those of the same title by QRS. Apparently, after 1925, Imperial dis- pensed with artist credits entirely, presumably to avoid paying royalties to com- posers, performers, or publishing companies. “Burt Franklin” and “Jack Clyde” are pseudonyms used on hundreds of Imperial rolls. They are all strongly sug- gestive of Waller’s style, but Frank does not think that Imperial employed Wal- ler to record different versions (see note for Imperial X5457 under QRS 2711 in main listing) because there would not be enough money to be made from it. QRS rolls had a list price of $1.25 but were provided to retailers for 50 to 75 cents each, while Imperial rolls were listed at 75 cents and were available to retailers for 25 to 35 cents each. If they are not played by Waller then Imperial had the capability to produce rolls in the Waller style.

Imperial X5444 Do It, Mister So-and-So played by Burt Franklin. Imperial X5457 Don’t Try To Take My Man Away played by Jack Clyde. Imperial X5998 18th Street Strut no artist credit. Imperial 06657 I’m Coming Virginia no artist credit. Imperial 07787 I’m Crazy ‘Bout My Baby no artist credit.

The other Imperial rolls with a Waller interest are as follows. “Low Down Papa” is strongly suggestive of Waller (as agreed by Frank Himpsl and Mike Montgomery) while “Cotton Belt Blues” is less so, but I think still a pos- sibility (although Frank Himpsl does not agree). “Georgia Bo Bo” is a Waller composition, but the tune has unusual styling which makes it difficult to judge.

Imperial X5313 Cotton Belt Blues played by Jack Clyde. Imperial X5327 Low Down Papa played by Jack Clyde. Imperial 06196 Georgia Bo Bo no artist credit. International 93250 Squeeze Me “arranged roll,” not hand- played.

Frank Himpsl does not have the Standard roll of “West Indies Blues” (see main listing) which remains the Holy Grail of roll collecting, and he does not have (and has never seen) the edited version of “Squeeze Me” on Imperial X5980. The International Roll Company version of “Squeeze Me” is “arranged” and not hand-played and sounds unlike Waller. p 295. Correct “Stinette” to “Stinnette”, as per Victor 21062 record label. p 301. Add the following information found in Storyville #56 (December 1974–January 1975). I leave it to the listener to decide whether it’s Fats or not,

68 Fats Waller on the Air but I am still not convinced.

During a record playing session earlier this year, All Volmer was spin- ning some sides at random for Eva Taylor and her son Spencer. With Wipe ‘Em Off by the Seven Gallon Jug Band on the turntable, both ex- claimed “That’s Fats” as the second voice appeared. Al passed this in- formation to me and, coincidentally, his letter arrived on the very morn- ing that Maurice Waller came to spend a day with us. We found time to play a few records and, without saying anything, I put this side on the turntable. At the appropriate moment, Maurice, who had been laughing at the lyrics and the overall sound, jumped out of his chair and practi- cally shouted “That’s my dad! That’s my dad!” p 311. Change CD Bluebird ND90411(4) to ND90411(3) (Patrick Flanagan email 27 Jan 2007). Fuel (2000) 30206142622 (2xCD set) “Fats Waller, Happy Birthday Fats” (issued in 2004) reissued in 2007 with new outer cover “An Introduction To Fats Waller,” with the same record number, but the set is otherwise identical. Add JSP927 (UK) (4 x CD set comprises JSP927A, JSP927B, JSP927C, JSP927D). Add JSP928 (UK) (4 x CD set comprises JSP928A, JSP928B, JSP928C, JSP928D). Add JSP946 (UK) (4 x CD set comprises JSP946A, JSP946B, JSP946C, JSP946D).

Additional information from Horst Lange’s German discography In 2006 I acquired a copy of Horst Lange’s [= HL] 1966 discography of German 78 rpm issues (see p 312 below), and cross-checked the data against the FWotA book discography, and found the following discrepancies. Brian Rust consulted Lange’s work when compiling Jazz Records 1897–1942 [= JR], but there are inconsistencies between the two listings and also with Laurie Wright’s “Fats” In Fact [= FIF]. Readers are invited to submit comments if they have the origi- nal 78 rpm German pressings to confirm data. p 165. Mx. S-72-514-B. Change to: OdG 312852 [as HL and FIF. Not listed in JR. See note below]. Mx. S-72-515-A. Change to: OdG 312853 [as HL and FIF, and FIF says OdG 312852/3 are coupled. Not listed in JR]. p 174 Mx. 40093. HL has as Take-3 which is clearly incorrect since the origi- nal recording sheet shows only two takes. Change Mx. 40093-2 to: El EG7892 [as JR and FIF]. Mx. 40095-1. Change to: El EG7892 [as HL and FIF. JR as 40095-2].

Additions and Corrections 69 p 189. Mx. 151397-3. Add: CoG CB446 [?, as HL. Not listed in JR or FIF as German issue]. Mx. 151398-2. Add: CoG CB446 [?, as HL. Not listed in JR or FIF as German issue]. p 190. Mx. 151839-1 has CoG DW4079 [as HL and FIF], but JR has DW4075].

The following have been resolved: p 205. Discrepancy, Mx. 89764-1: “El EG3602 [?, FIF has EG3607, but see Mx. 92993-1]”. HL also has EG3607. Resolution: See page 205 in discography section. Mx. 92993-1 also confirmed as El EG3602. p 213. Discrepancy, Mx. 98898-1: “El EG3680 [JR has EG3660, prob. error]”. HL also has EG3680. Resolution: See page 213 above. EG3680 both sides by Roy Fox and his Orchestra. p 234. Discrepancy, Mx. 021151-1: FIF has ASR L25652 but HL has L25682. Not listed in JR. Resolution: FIF page xvii says the ASR numbers were derived almost entirely from the HL book. Hence ASR L25682 is most likely correct. p 240. Discrepancy, Mx. OEA-6383-1: “El EG6389 [as JR. BR letter 15/5/99 says info from HL book. FIF has EG6839].” HL has EG6389. Resolution: See page 240 above.. Discrepancy, Mx. OEA-6384-2: “El EG6389 [as JR. BR letter 15/5/99 says info from HL book. FIF has EG6839].” HL has EG6389. Resolution: See page 240 above. p 241. Discrepancy, Mx. OEA-6387-3: El EG6647 as JR and FIF, but HL has El EG6647 for Mx. OEA-6385-3 and 6388-3 which may be correct. Resolution: HL is correct as original copy of El EG6647 with Jazzinsti- tut Darmstadt, Germany (email 4 Sept. 2006). Delete El EG6647 from Mx. OEA-6387-3 and add to OEA-6388-3. Also confirmed by eBay listing of El EG6647 in Dec. 2006. Discrepancy, Mx. OEA-6388-3: El EG6647 as HL. Not listed in JR and FIF, but note comment for Mx. 6387-3. Resolution: HL is correct as original copy of El EG6647 with Jazzinsti- tut Darmstadt, Germany (email 4 Sept. 2006). Add El EG6647 to Mx. OEA-6388-3. p 312. Add the following to the Discography Published Resources: Lange, Horst H., Die deutsche ,,78er“–Discographie der Jazz– und Hot-Dance- Musik 1903–1958. Berlin, Germany: Colloquium Verlag, 1966.

Additional information from the Sony-BMG Archives In March 2007 I received a set of CDs from the Sony-BMG Vault & Archives in

70 Fats Waller on the Air

New York, comprising Fats Waller recordings in their collection. The CDs are identified with “MT” (presumably Master Tape) numbers only, but the following updated discography is presented in order of recording date. Fats Waller on the Air: The Radio Broadcasts and Discography (FWotA) should be amended accordingly as noted below (if applicable) at the end of each broadcast section. In particular, please note the updated information for Broad- cast to America of 9 September 1938, and the second half of the Yacht Club broadcast of 18 October 1938.

5 July 1938 “Fats” Waller and his Rhythm broadcast NBC Studios, RCA Building, Radio City, New York City, New York. Herman Autrey, t; Gene Sedric, cl/ts; Fats Waller, p/p solo–1/Hammond organ–2/v–3; Al Casey, g; Cedric Wallace, sb; Slick Jones, d. Sony-BMG Code MT-1729. All titles 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1041 CD: Jasmine JASMCD2555, Jazz Archives 99757-2 = Jazz Archives 157192 [except “Hold My Hand”], Music Memoria 30912, Soundcraft SC8002 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (opening theme) CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 I Simply Adore You –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Fuel 30206142622 My Best Wishes –2 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505 Handful Of Keys –1 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Fuel 30206142622, Hot ‘N Sweet 151132 = Hot ‘N Sweet FDC5113 = Jazz Archives 158992 Hold My Hand [not inc. with Jazz Archives 157192] –3 The Sheik Of Araby –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Fuel 30206142622 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (closing theme) CD: Fuel 30206142622

12 July 1938 “Fats” Waller and his Rhythm broadcast Location and personnel as 5 July 1938. Waller makes vocal comments on “E Flat Blues.” Sony-BMG Code MT-772. Ain’t Misbehavin’ (opening theme) Unissued, recording exists. The Joint Is Jumpin’ –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 Inside [This Heart Of Mine] –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 I Had To Do It –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 E Flat Blues CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 Honeysuckle Rose Unissued, recording exists. Hold My Hand (closing theme) Unissued, recording exists. Buddha Records, a subsidiary of BMG Distribution, issued the above CD in 1999, which in- cludes the four previously unissued recordings. On the CD the edited tracks run into each other, and

Additions and Corrections 71 the Fats intro “Let’s get sweet and hot” at the start of “The Joint Is Jumpin’” as above (CD Track- 2) in fact comes from “Ain’t Misbehavin’” (CD Track-1) dated 5 July 1938. Also, when Fats says “Let’s carry on” as the introduction to “Hold My Hand” (Track-6) from 16 July 1938, this belongs to the continuation from “E Flat Blues” (Track-5) from this session. The CD also includes two pre- viously unissued recordings from the session dated 18 October 1938. FWotA p 55 delete “–?” from “Honeysuckle Rose” (no vocal).

16 July 1938 “Fats” Waller and his Rhythm broadcast Location and personnel as 5 July 1938. Sony-BMG Code MT-292. All titles 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1035, Sandy Hook SH2097 CD: Jasmine JASMCD2549, Music Memoria 30912, Sandy Hook CDSH2097 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (opening theme) Hold My Hand –3 CD: Bb 82876-59951-2 =, Buddha Records 7446599603-2 Stop Beatin’ Around The Mulberry Bush –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505 What’s The Matter With You? –3 12″: Jazz Archives JA7, Jazz Live Cicala BLJ8031, RCA FXM1-7282 CD: Archives Of Jazz 380107-2, Bb 82876-59951-2 =, Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Galaxy 3899592 Hallelujah! –1 CD: Bb 82876-59951-2 =, Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Hot ‘N Sweet 151132 = Hot ‘N Sweet FDC5113 = Jazz Archives 158992 What’s Your Name –3 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505 Hold My Hand (closing theme) CD: Bb 82876-59951-2 = [with fade out without announcer’s comments]

9 September 1938 Broadcast to America broadcast St. George’s Hall, London, England. 12:45–1.00 am on Saturday, 10 September 1938. Short-wave broadcast and presentation by NBC to the U.S. broadcast on Friday, 9 September 1938 over Station WJZ at 7:45–8:00 pm ET, and recorded at the NBC Studios, RCA Building, New York. Sustaining broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-1653. Unissued, recording exists. Fats Waller, p–1/pipe organ–2/v–3/vocal comments–4; Adelaide Hall, v–5. Ain’t Misbehavin’ –1 (opening theme with announcer comments) Marie –1, –3 I Can’t Give You Anything But Love –2, –4, –5 Handful Of Keys –1 That Old Feeling –2, –4, –5 Flat Foot Floogie –2, –3, –5 Ain’t Misbehavin’ –2 (closing theme with announcer comments) FWotA revise p 57~58. Also remove this broadcast from p 294 and insert on p 242.

14 October 1938 Yacht Club broadcast Yacht Club, 150 W. 52nd Street, New York City, New York. Herman Autrey, t; Gene Sedric, cl/ts; Fats Waller, p/p solo–1/v–2; Al Casey, g; Cedric Wallace, sb; Slick Jones, d. All titles 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1029, Sandy Hook SH2097

72 Fats Waller on the Air

CD: Jasmine JASMCD2549, Jazz Archives 99757-2 = Jazz Archives 157192, Mr. Music MMCD-7004 [Star Line Productions], Music Memoria 30912, Sandy Hook CDSH2097, Star Line CDSG401

First half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-291-A, Yacht Club Swing (opening theme) CD: Memoir CDMOIR515 Hold My Hand –2 CD: Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515 Pent Up In A Penthouse –2 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515 Honeysuckle Rose CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515 Yacht Club Swing CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515

Original Yacht Club program. From an eBay listing.

Second half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-279-A. You look Good To Me –2 CD: Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515 Hallelujah! –1 CD: Drive CD3505, Memoir CDMOIR515 St. Louis Blues CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2, Drive CD3505 Flat Foot Floogie –2 CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 After You’ve Gone CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2

Additions and Corrections 73

Yacht Club Swing (closing theme) The Buddha Records CD presents the tunes in the wrong order, although the sound quality may be an improvement over other issues. See also 5 July 1938, 12 July 1938, and 18 October 1938. MT-279-A starts with Fats saying “Appro who?” continuing from the end of the first part of the broadcast, and the announcer refers to the premier performance, indicating the second half is indeed from 14 October 1938.

18 October 1938 Yacht Club Broadcast Location and personnel as 14 October 1938. Waller makes vocal comments on “I Got Rhythm” and “Some Of These Days.” All titles from first half 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1029, Sandy Hook CH2097 CD: Jasmine JASMCD2549, Jazz Archives 99757-2 = Jazz Archives 157192, Mr. Music MMCD-7004 [Star Line Productions], Music Memoria 30912, Sandy Hook CDSH2097, Star Line CDSG401

First half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-291-B. Yacht Club Swing (opening theme) You Can’t Be Mine And Somebody Else’s Too –2 CD: Drive CD3505 Monday Mornin’ CD: Drive CD3505 What Do You Know About Love? CD: Drive CD3505 I Had To Do It –2 CD: Drive CD3505

Second half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-279-B. African Ripples –1 Unissued, recording exists. I Got Rhythm CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 Old Folks Unissued, recording exists. Some Of These Days CD: Buddha Records 7446599603-2 Stop Beatin’ Around The Mulberry Bush –2 Unissued, recording exists. Summer Souvenirs –1 with sb, d accom. Unissued, recording exists. Yacht Club Swing (closing theme) Unissued, recording exists. Buddha Records released the above two titles in 1999. FWotA p 66 revise titles and information as above. Delete reference to the second halves of the broadcasts being reversed, since they are correct as stated here.

20 December 1940 Panther Room Broadcast Panther Room of the College Inn, Hotel Sherman, Chicago, Illinois. John Hamilton, t; Gene Sedric, cl/ts; Fats Waller, p/v–1; Al Casey, g; Cedric Wallace, sb; Slick Jones, d; Kathryn “Kay” Perry, v–2. The announcer says this replaces the announced program. Unissued, recording of complete broadcast exists.

74 Fats Waller on the Air

First half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-282. Panther Room Stomp (Yacht Club Swing, opening theme) Whatcha Know Joe? –1 I Give You My Word –2 Lyla Lou

Second half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-289. Frenesi So You’re The One –2 Dark Eyes When You And I Were Young, Maggie Panther Room Stomp (Yacht Club Swing, closing theme) FWotA p 270 revise last title as above to be consistent with other broadcasts.

27 December 1940 Panther Room broadcast Location and personnel as 20 December 1940. Issued commercially as 10 December 1940. All titles 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1041 CD: Jasmine JASMCD2555, Music Memoria 31056 = Music Memoria 881002

First half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-325. Panther Room Stomp (Yacht Club Swing) I Do, Do You? Honolulu Bundle CD: Fuel 30206142622 Perfidia

Second half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-1727 [announcer closing remarks recorded twice due to skips. Second version of MT-1727 does not have skips at end]. There I Go –2 Frenesi I Give You My Word –2 Whatcha Know Joe? –1 CD: Fuel 30206142622

The Sony-BMG Archives lists this broadcast as master tape reference number MT-325 dated 27 December 1940 for the first half of the broadcast, and MT-1727 dated incorrectly as 23 August 1938 (when Fats was in England) for the second half. In April 2007 Sony-BMG confirmed they still have the original 16″ transcription recordings and the safety copy “MT” numbers have no dis- cographical significance. Also see comments for 28 December 1940. FWotA p 105 delete “possibly” for MT-1727, and revise comments on p 271 as above.

28 December 1940 Panther Room broadcast Location and personnel as 20 December 1940. Issued commercially as 3 December 1940. All titles 78: No issues 12″: Giants Of Jazz GOJ1035

Additions and Corrections 75

CD: Jasmine JASMCD2555, Music Memoria 31056 = Music Memoria 881002

First half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-455-A. Panther Room Stomp (Yacht Club Swing, opening theme) Whatcha Know Joe? –1 I Give You My Word –2 Lyla Lou

Second half of broadcast. Sony-BMG Code MT-1655-A [several bad skips on last three tune titles, not on Lp/CD issues]. Frenesi So You’re The One –2 Dark Eyes CD: Fuel 30206142622 Perfidia When You And I Were Young, Maggie Panther Room Stomp (Yacht Club Swing, closing theme)

The correct date is definitely Saturday, 28 December 1940, since the first four tunes are on a list for this date from the Sony-BMG Archives, which lists as master tape reference number MT- 455-A dated 28 December 1940 for the first half of the broadcast, and MT-1655-A dated only as December 1940 for the second half. FW0tA p 105 correct MT-455 to MT-455-A, and delete “possibly” with reference to MT-1655- A.

Additional CDs

Bluebird/Legacy 82876-81125-2, “If You Got To Ask, You Ain’t Got It!” (2006) – Disc D1: 84921-1 (196), 84418-1 (195), 98894-1 (213), 98895-1, 102400-1 (219), 010649-1 (229), 013346-1 (231), 014646-1 (232), 01647-1 (233), 022435-1 (237), 030369-1 (246), 038207-2 [stated as -1, see note p 253 above] (253), 038211-1, 041528-1 (258), 048775-1 (264), 062765-1 (274), 061337-1 (277), 067950-1 (278), 068811-1 (279), 073441-1 (281), 075425-1 (282), D6- VC-6216-1 (283). Disc D2: 36773-1 (167), 42567-2 [stated as -1] (176), 42568-1 [stated as -2], 49762-2 (178), 49492-3 (179), 49495-3 (180), 56710-2 (184), 57190-4 (187), 86208-2 (197), 86211-1 (198), 010652-1 (230), 010653-1, 063889-1 [stated as - 2] (275), 84417-1 (195), 88782-1 (201), 98197-1 (212), 102020-1 (218), 010651-1 (229), 022429-2 (235), 053794-1 (272), 073443-1 (281), 06581-1 (226). Disc D3: 151839-1 (190), 84422-1 (195), 88784-1 (201), 89760-1 (204), 89764- 1 (205), 88989-1 (206), 88996-1 (207), 88997-1 (208), 101190-1 (214), 101667- 1 (216), 013349-1 (231), 022434-2 (236), 027289-1 (242), 031530-1 (248), 031534-2 (249, previously unissued take), 032944-1 (250), 043348-1 (259), 043350-1 (260), 043351-1, 048779-2 [stated as -1] (265), 062766-1 (274), 057085-1 (267). Produced by Orrin Keepnews with liner notes by Dan Morgenstern, includes

76 Fats Waller on the Air many rare and previously unpublished photos, and previously unissued Take-2 of “Hold Tight [Want Some Sea Food Mama].”

Definitive DRCD11297 “Fats Waller, Complete Victor Piano Solos” (2006) – 37822-2 (p 170), 49759-1 (177), 49762-2 (178), 49492-3 (179), 49493-2, 49494- 2, 49494-3 (180), 49495-1, 49495-3, 49496-1, 49496-2, 49497-1 (181), 49497-2, 55375-1 (182), 55375-2, 55376-1, 55376-2, 56125-1 (183), 56125-2, 56126-1, 56710-2 (184), 57190-4 (187), 57191-1, 59720-1 (188), 59721-1, 86208-2 (197), 86209-1, 86210-1 (198), 86211-1, 010652-1 (230), 010653-1, 010654-1, 010655-1, 010656-1, OEA-7878-1 (251), OEA-7879-1, OEA-7880-1, OEA- 7881-1 (252), OEA-7882-1, OEA-7883-1, Associated 7 August 1939 five piano solos (257), Lang–Worth “Faust Waltz” (262), 063887-1 (274), 063888-1, 063889-1 (275), 063889-2, 063890-1, 063891-1. Double CD set does not include 49494-1.

Delta Leisure 33321 "The Essence of Fats Waller" (2007)(EU) – 2 x CD set with selected compilation of recordings not presented in chronological order. Mx. 49759-1, 82526-1, 82527-1, 84106-1, 84107-1, 84418-1, 84419-1, 84921-1, 84922-1, 87085-1, 87086-1, 88779-1, 89760-1, 89761-1, 89764-1, 88989-1, 88995-1, 92915-1, 92994-1, 98173-1, 98175-1, 101189-1, 101194-1, 101667-1, 101669-1, 101671-1, 102016-1, 03841-1, 102402-1, 102404-1, 102405-1, 0339-1, 03843-1, 06414-1, 06418-1, 010647-1, 010651-1, 013346-1, 014646-1, 014648-1, 021150-1, 023760-1, 027289-1, 027292-1, 031533-1, 031534-1, 043348-1, 068813-2, 073443-1, D6-VC-6216-1 [unknown source]. CD liner notes state "Digital Stereo." Fade in/out on some tracks slightly in- trudes into music.

Doctor Jazz DJ010 “Dinnertime For Hungry Collectors” (2013)(EU) – 2 x CD compilation with three tracks by Fats Waller; the two titles from the Saturday Night Swing Club broadcast of 2 July 1938, and “Martinique” private recording from 2 March 1943. CD issued for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Jazz maga- zine.

Fuel (Varèse Sarabande) 3020618262 “Fats Waller Performance, Radio Record- ings from 1931 to 1943” (2010)(US) – 2 X CD set similar to Fuel 30206142622 (circa 2004) with four additional tracks. Recordings from 1934–1943 (none from 1931) with selections from 1935 and 1939 Associated transcriptions, Lang– Worth transcriptions, V-Discs, and commercial 78 rpm records. Refer to the discography for details.

JSP JSP927 “Fats Waller, The Complete Recorded Works, Volume 1: Messin’ Around With The Blues” (2007) – 4 x CD box set with all known recordings from Mx. 70948-D “Muscle Shoals Blues” of circa 21 October 1922 (p 163) to Mx. 146540-1 “Mournful Tho’ts” of 18 June 1928 (p 177).

Additions and Corrections 77

The set does not include the recordings listed in FWotA under “Miscellaneous Fats Waller” from page 295, including the session with Ethel Waters from 1 August 1924 which produced “Pleasure Mad” and “Back Bitin’ Mama.” Matrix numbers are correct except Mx. 38045-2 (p 171) is stated as -1. Also, Mx. 37357-1/3 (p 169) is stated as -1 (which may be correct, but see comment in the discography). "Red Hot Dan" Mx. 40096-1 is on Disc "C" and 40096-2 is on Disc "D" although the CD insert has both as 40096-1. Issue remastered by Ted Kendall from original source material.

JSP JSP928 “Fats Waller, The Complete Recorded Works, Volume 2: A Hand- ful Of Keys” (2006) – 4 x CD box set, continuing from JSP927, with complete recordings from Mx. 49759-1 “Handful Of Keys” from 1 March 1929 (p 177) to Mx. 94926-1 “Breakin’ The Ice” from 7 November 1934 (p 197) plus disputed items “Plain Dirt” and “Gee, Ain’t I Good To You” (p 301), except alternate takes of “Big Business” (Parts 1 and 2) which are included in JSP948. Issue remastered by Ted Kendall from original source material.

JSP946 “Fats Waller, Volume 3. 1934–1936 Rhythm and Romance” (2007) – 4 x CD box set, continuing from JSP928, with complete commercial recordings (i.e. excluding the Associated transcriptions, film soundtracks, and radio broad- casts) from Mx. 86208-2 “African Ripples” from 16 November 1934 (p 197) to Mx. 102405-1 “Bye, Bye, Baby” from 1 August 1936 (p 220), including the recently discovered alternate take of “Lulu’s Back In Town” Mx. 89760-2 (p 205). Issue remastered by Ted Kendall.

JSP948 “Fats Waller, Volume 4. 1936–1938 New York–Chicago–Hollywood” (2007) – 4 x CD box set, continuing from JSP946, with complete commercial recordings from Mx. 0339-1 “S’posin’” from 9 September 1936 (p 221) to Mx. 022436-2 “Inside (This Heart Of Mine)” (p 237), including the previously unis- sued alternate Take-1 of “Big Business” (Parts 1 & 2) (p 184-185), left over from JSP928 above. Mx. 2451-1 “Marie” is listed incorrectly as 2450-1, Mx. 022429-1 “In The Gloaming” is Take-2, and Mx. 022429-2 is Take-1. Issue remastered by Ted Kendall.

JSP949 "Fats Waller, Volume 5. 1938–1940 New York–London–Chicago" (2008) – 4 x CD box set, continuing from JSP947, with complete commercial recordings from Mx.023760-1 "There's Honey On The Moon Tonight" from 1 July 1938 (p 237) to Mx.044603-1 "The Moon Is Low Part # 2" from 12 January 1940 (p 264), including alternate takes and Take-2 of "Hold Tight" (see p. 249 above). The alternate take of "Good For Nothin' But Love" in Volume "D" of the set is listed incorrectly in the liner notes as Mx.031533-1 when it is Take-2. Volume

78 Fats Waller on the Air

"B" has Take-1 and listed correctly as Mx.031533-1. The alternate take of "Kiss Me With Your Eyes" in Volume "B" of the set is listed incorrectly in the liner notes as Mx.031535-1 when it is Take-2. Volume "D" has Take-1 and listed correctly as Mx.031535-1. The set does not include private recordings, broadcasts, and the Associated and Lang–Worth transcriptions, but does include the Lee Wiley recordings from 15 November 1939. The "London Suite" (p 251) is included but apparently from 78 rpm recordings and not from the superior sound of Ed Kirkeby's private Lp which the author made available for this JSP production, except that the short intro to "Chelsea" has been patched onto the 78 rpm version. Issue remastered by Ted Kendall.

JSP952 “Fats Waller, Volume 6. 1940–1942 New York–Chicago–Hollywood” (2008, issued 2009) –5 x CD box set, continuing from JSP949, with complete commercial recordings and V-Discs from Mx.048775-1 “Old Grand Dad” from 11 April 1940 (p 264) to “St. Louis Blues,” the alternate V-Disc from September 1943 (p 290), plus some of the recordings attributed to Waller which are in the “Miscellaneous Fats Waller” section of the book from page 295 as follows: 13453 Pleasure Mad 13455 Back Bitin’ Mama (p 296). 53586-3 I’ve Got A Feeling I’m Falling 53587-3 Maybe!–Who Knows? (p 299). 42529-2 Chlo-e 42532-2 When You’re With Somebody Else (p 298). 149690-6 Wipe ‘Em Off (p 301). The set also includes the “Organ Tests” (p 228) from Lp Ristic 22/23 as one of the alternate V-Disc recordings, but I think this is more likely a private record- ing, not from the V-Disc session. Although the title of the box set has “1940 to 1942,” in fact it includes all com- mercial issues, alternate takes, and V-Discs up to September 1943, except for “Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Alternate Ending” from Stormy Weather (p 284). Matrix numbers stated in the CD inserts are correct except Mx.063888-1 “Rock- in’ Chair” (p 274) on JSP952B is stated incorrectly as Mx.063788-1, and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” from Stormy Weather (p 283) on JSP952D is stated as from 78 rpm record TCF-201, but Storyville 153 has a label scan of TCF-201 with the title “That Ain’t Right.” Volume 6 completes the JSP series of Waller commercial issues. Issue remastered by Ted Kendall.

RCA-Victor 88697301292 "The Best of Fats Waller" (2008)(Eu) – 3 x CD box set European equivalent to Bluebird/Legacy 82876-81125-2 as above, but with- out the extensive liner notes of the latter. Includes the previously unissued Take- 2 of “Hold Tight [Want Some Sea Food Mama].”

Additions and Corrections 79

Retrieval RTR79049 “The Rhythmakers 1932 The Complete Set – 26 Tracks” (2006) – Includes all eight Rhythmakers Mx. 12119-1 (p 191) to 12122-2 (p 192). Add CD number to “All titles” on p 191.

Soundcraft SC8002 “Fats Waller & His Rhythm, 1936 to 1941 Broadcasts” (2007) – All broadcast tune titles except where noted. Magic Key of RCA broad- cast, 24 May 1936 (p 215) [as “RCA Show, May 24, 1936”]; The Fleishmann’s Yeast Hour broadcast, 4 June 1936 (p 216), [as “Magic Key Of Radio Show, January 3, 1937” (sic)], Magic Key of RCA broadcast, 3 January 1937 (p 223) [as “Magic Key Of Radio Show, January 3, 1937”]; Saturday Night Swing Club broadcast, 2 July 1938 (p 238) – “I Found A New Baby” only [as “J.P. Johnson & Fats Waller, July 2, 1938, Saturday Night Swing Club”]; NBC broadcast, 5 July 1938 (p 238) [as “1937 Remote” (sic)]; This Is New York broadcast, 11 De- cember 1938 (p 246) [as “1936” (sic)]; Freedom’s People broadcast, 21 Decem- ber 1941 (p 279) [as “December 21, 1941” (sic)]. “I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed” from The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour is included twice on the CD, the second time under “J.P. Johnson & Fats Waller” by mis- take. All titles are available in equal or better sound quality on previously issues.

Storyville 1038413 “Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Legendary Radio Broadcasts” (2008) – 2 x CD set with one CD each for Waller and Calloway broadcasts. All titles: Station WHIS, Bluefield, West Virginia, 2 February 1936 (p 214); Magic Key of RCA (as “Magic Key Of Radio”), 24 May 1936 (p 215); The Fleischmann’s Yeast Hour (as “The Fleismann [sic] Hour”), 4 June 1936 (p 216) from “Recollections At Thirty”; Magic Key of RCA (as “Magic Key Of Radio”), 9 August 1936 (p 220); Magic Key of RCA (as “Magic Key Of Radio”), 3 Janu- ary 1937 (p 223); This Is New York, 11 December 1938 (p 246); Freedom’s People, 21 December 1941 (p 279); Dave Elman’s Hobby Lobby Program, 10 January 1942 (p 280); Garrick Stagebar Café, 2 February 1942 (p 280); Person- ally, It’s Off The Record (as “Off The Record”), 23 September 1943 (p 290); What’s New, 13 November 1943 (FWotA p 290, and see p 126 above); Com- mand Performance No. 95, 4 December 1943 (p 290); News From Home, De- cember 1943 (p 291). All titles previously issued on Lp/CD but remastered sound quality on this issue is quite good, except the What’s New broadcast has not been speed corrected. Interesting liner notes by John McDonough.

Tai Ping Records TPR-FW0102 “Fats Waller on the Air: 1938 Broadcasts” (Oc- tober 2009). Three complete broadcasts with fifteen previously unissued tracks. NBC Broadcast, 12 July 1938 (p 55 and 239); Broadcast to America, 10 Sep- tember 1938 (p 57 and add to p 242); Yacht Club Broadcast, 18 October 1938 (p 65 and 245), plus four “Bonus Tracks” from vinyl test pressings, “Dream Man”

80 Fats Waller on the Air

Mx.84923-1 (p 196); “I Used To Love You” Mx.038208-1 (p 253); “Come Down To Earth, My Angel” Mx.053798-1 (p 273); and V-Disc 743-A “Some- times I Feel Like A Motherless Child” from 16 September 1943 (p 289).

New issue CDs not included in the discography Approximate year of issue in brackets. West End 878 - “Fats Waller - The Essential Collection” 2 x CD (2007). Edel 0193662ERE - “Breaking The Ice” (2009). Compilation (Eu).

People and Places Index p 318. Correct “Stinette” to “Stinnette”, as per Victor 21062 record label.

Tune Title Index p 330 Correct “Jeeper’s Creepers” to “Jeepers Creepers.”

Additions and Corrections 81

Fats Waller last photo, 1943. Presumably taken onboard the Santa Fé Chief train which left Los Angeles mid-day on Monday, 13 December 1943, en route to New York to spend Christmas with his family. He died of bronchial pneumonia on the train in the early hours of 15th December, as the train was approaching Kansas City. Photo from the Ed Kirkeby collection at the Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers University.

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I am pleased and encouraged to report that Fats Waller on the Air has re- ceived the 2007 Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) Award for

82 Fats Waller on the Air

Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research, as follows:

Additions and Corrections

The following additions and corrections have been made since the version of this file dated 8 May 2008. Date format (yyyy mm dd) at left.

20080518 Add ViAr 25075 to p 206/207. 20080518 Add ViAr 25652-B to p 218, and ViAr 25806 to p 234/235. 20080601 Add photo of Associated 263 transcription disc (p 26, 204). 20080604 Correct to RZAu G24504 for “Swinga-Dilla Street” (p 263). 20080618 Add info re WDT and the New York Evening World ( p 2). Add photo of Sebastian's Cotton Club from Ed Burke (p 28). 20080628 Add list of personnel for the Soundies (p 277). 20080731 Add many BbC and ViC issues from eBay listing in July 2008 and from Keith Taruski (as “Keith T email July 2008”) . 20080807 Add CD Bb 82876-59951-2 = , for Mx.84106-1 omitted in error (p 194). 20080814 Add 4xCD box set JSP JSP949 "Fats Waller 1938–1940 New York–London–Chicago" and revise comment on page 251. Correct CD listing for Mx.A270-2 and Mx.A271-2 (p 203). Add Billy Higgs and Fats photo (p 251). 20081007 Add CD Recording Arts JZCD349 for Mx.0339-1 omitted in error (p. 221).

Additions and Corrections 83

Remove CD Jazz Tribune #23 from Mx.010655-1 (p 230). Add CD RCA-Victor 8869701292 "The Best of Fats Waller" (2008), 3 x CD box set, as equivalent "=" to Bb/Legacy 82876-81125-2. Remove CD Bb 07863-66552-2 from Mx. 044602-1 (p 264). Add CD Delta Leisure 33321 (2 x CD set)(2007). American Dances should be America Dances (p. 237 above). Add photo of Fats with unknown conductor (p. 279 above). Add two stills from the 1947 film Behind Your Radio Dial: The Story of NBC to the Photospread section. Add Panther Room advertisement (p. 90) and relocate Lang–Worth transcription photo to Discography section. Add WABC broadcasts for p. 29 (JJ’s radio logs). Add Washington Post radio logs (p. 124). Add King of Burlesque suggestions for band members (p 211). 20090327 Change CST, EST, PCT on p 126/128 to CWT, EWT, and PWT (Carl Hällström email 7 October 2008). Add CD Storyville 1038413 “Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Legend- ary Radio Broadcasts” (2008). Add Martin Block Jam Session "Project 8" label (p 79). Add comment about "Red Hot Dan" Mx.40096-1 and 2 to the de- scription for CD JSP927 (Michael Leitner email 16 December 2008). Add comment about "Kiss Me With Your Eyes" Mx.031535-1 and 2 to the description for CD JSP949 ((Michael Leitner email 1 January 2009). Add suffix -A, -B for ViAr 1AC-0135 (p 187). Add Vi China (Shanghai) 24714 (p 194). Add DVD Screen Edge EDGE56D (p 150). Add photo of Fats with Cab Calloway (Photospread). 20090421 Add JSP952 (5 x CD set, issued 2008). Ref TCF-201 [ref Storyville # 162] for “That Ain’t Right” (p 293), change to [ref Storyville # 153] which has a scan of the record label. Add additional comments about “Organ Tests” (p 229). Add additional comment regarding “Wipe ‘Em Off” (p301). 20091019 Add TR Muzak 414 for Mx. A272-2 “All titles” (p 203) (eBay listing 5/2009). Add second photo of Fats with Cab Calloway (Photospread). Add “B = Brazil” to country code list (p 162), and add 78s ViB 25044 (p 205), ViB 25123 (p 210), ViB 25388 (p 219/220), ViB 25471 (p 206/218), ViB 25537 (p 224), ViB 25679 (p 231/232) and ViB 26831 (p 207/209)(eBay listing June 2009). Add ViB 26838-B for Mx.010647-1 “Smarty” (p 229). Side A is Larry Clinton and his Orchestra “I’ve Got My Heart Set On You” (eBay listing July 2009). Correct typo in Photospread of Fats with Anita on 14 June 1939. Should be Ile de France, not Isle de France.

84 Fats Waller on the Air

Add CD Tai Ping Records TPR-FW0102 “Fats Waller on the Air: 1938 Broadcasts” (released October 2009). Add Station WJZ comment (p 5). 20091207 Add Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club information (p 50). Add CD Edel 0193662ERE - “Breaking The Ice” (2009) to CDs not listed in discography. Correct ViAr 68-0864 to ViAr 68-0834 (p 226)(eBay listing Nov 2009, ref Carl Hällström email). Add ViAr 78s 22371, 25044, 25087, 25116, 25194, 25348, 25374, 25388, 25394, 25415, 25419, 25499, 25537, 25554, 25563, 25571, 25604, 25608, 25618, 25631, 25671, 25749 (from VJM No.155 Autumn 2009 auction list, confirmed as ViAr issues by seller). Add Martin Block’s comments to “Fats Waller Memorial Show” and other corrections (p. 147). Add 78s ViAr 29959, 32898, 62-0074; ViB 82-0121, 82-0265 (from VJM No.155 Autumn 2009 auction list and seller Maria Strassburger emails Nov 2009). 20100609 Add Saturday Night Swing Club info (p 53). Add WRC broadcast (p 99). Add WIL broadcast (p 57). Add Chicago Daily Tribune to 24 August 1939 (p 91). Add KMAC broadcast (p 119). Add WLW broadcast (p 12). 20100611 Add CD Fuel (Varèse Sarabande) 3020618262 “Fats Waller Per- formance, Radio Recordings from 1931 to 1943” (2010)(US). 20100812 Add comment regarding Radio City Party (p 29). 20100829 Add Bill Savory collection information (p 73 and p 80). 20100831 Additional info re Savory collection (p 80). 20100906 Add and revise comments for Martin Block broadcast (p 77 and p 80). 20100908 Correct “Stinette” to “Stinnette” as per Victor 21062 record label (p 173, 295, 318). 20100917 Update Martin Block jam session info 23 November 1938 (p 73). 20110301 Update Martin Block jam session info 23 November 1938 (p 73). 20110523 Add information for Yacht Club broadcast 22 October 1938 (p 67). 20110614 Add Racine Journal-Times info for 2 October 1935 (p 29). Add information about Regal 8348 re Maude Mills (p 172). Add Stormy Weather information regarding trumpet player Robert Carroll (p 283). Add Warner Home Video to “The Old Mill Pond” in cartoon sec- tion. 20110616 Edit entry for In Chicago Tonight broadcast for clarity (p 103). Quotation should probably read W-G-N orchestra, not M-G-N. 20120329 Add Associated test pressing info and scan (p 27).

Additions and Corrections 85

20120505 Hooray For Love (p.204) add Warner Brothers DVD-R. 20120816 Add Fulton History archive info for 1923 and 1925 (p 2 & 4). 20121230 Add “The Isle of Pingo Pongo” on the cartoons section. Add car- toon frame from “September In The Rain.” 20130301 Add piano roll information from Frank Himpsl (p 291, 294). 20130514 Add CD Doctor Jazz DJ010 “Dinnertime For Hungry Collectors” (2013)(p 238, 284, and “Additional CDs”). 20140707 Add cartoons “The Woods Are Full Of Cuckoos,” “Hollywood Bowl,” and “Your Feet’s Too Big.” Add link to scans of the Soundie contracts (p 277). 20160207 Add comments for the Steinie Bottle Boys Swing Club broadcast (p.50 and p 235). 20161130 Add Chris Gamble photo from Sebastian’s “New Cotton Club” (p 28) and revise comments in Photospread section. 20170712 Photospread correction regarding date of two photos with Anita. 20180705 Add info re This Is New York (p 74) and Personally, It’s Off The Record (p 125). 20200219 Comment regarding announcer on Yacht Club broadcast of 18 Oc- tober 1938 (p.63).

Stephen Taylor

Tai Ping Towers, 582/194 Ekamai Road, Sukhumvit 63, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Email:

Revision: 19 February 2020.

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