The Role Of Jazz In The Harlem Renaissance Era

| Jazz in the Renaissance Era | The History of Duke Ellington and Fats Weller | | Kim Hamilton | 2/15/2011 |

The History of Harlem Renaissance and a look at Jazz in America through the eyes of Duke Ellington and Fats Weller. |

Jazz in the Renaissance Era The soulful sound of the bass and streaming strokes of the keys on a piano in a barely lit room filled with people listening to the subtle rhythm and harmony of music coming from what appears to be the stage in a small building a shack to be exact, the sound of music filling the air. Jazz is the name it was given Blues, ragtime, fusion, groove and New Orleans style. The time was 1917 to 1936 also known as the Harlem Renaissance Era. In the background you here the soulful…show more content…
One in which was Fats Waller. Born the youngest of four to Reverend Edward Martin Waller and Adaline Locket Waller Thomas Wright Waller was among those that significantly made an impact in this time. Playing the piano at the age of six and performing in the Harlem Lincoln Theater by fourteen Waller’s had composed his first rag. Becoming one of the greatest in his era he produced and co wrote songs like “Ain’t misbehaving”, “Honeysuckle “and “Squeeze Me”, Waller also produced many swing tunes in 1920 to 1930. Though Wellers composed many tunes he sold them for very little money so when the tunes became famous other artist assumed full credits for the tunes. Being known as the man who made the piano sing Waller’s was also known for his generosity and the joy he would bring to a room. Waller would also play Bach organ pieces for small group setting on occasions. After his sudden death in 1943 from Pneumonia Fats Waller’s legacy still live on in the many form of music and film for his hit Ain’t Misbehaving and many other…show more content…
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