Harlem-born pianist Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904-1943) was one of the first big stars of African-American music. As a child already he played piano and organ. Failing to fulfill his father's desire to become a clergyman and play classical music, he left home as a teenager and started playing in cinemas and theaters. The famous stride pianist James Pete Johnson took him under his wing and gave his playing the finishing touch. Soon Waller was one of the darlings of Harlem's rent

parties, accompanying the best blues singers such as Bessie Smith and Alberta Hunter. As an organist he made his first recordings in 1922 and even recorded piano rolls. One of the main reasons for Waller’s success was his versatility: he was not only an influential pianist, but also a talented singer and excellent entertainer, who also largely composed his own music and wrote several hits that are among the classics of jazz: Squeeze Me, Honeysuckle Rose, Ain't Misbehavin, Jitterbug Waltz, Black and Blue and many more. He was even in demand as an actor.

He celebrated his greatest successes with his band "Fats Waller and his Rhythm". Less business savvy, he often sold his publishing rights, and for very little money at that. His demanding life as a performing artist, who toured non-stop in both Europe and in the cities of his home country, combined with an excessive lifestyle led to his tragic early death in a train’s sleeping compartment while on a concert tour.

Waller was the first African American to write a musical for a white Broadway audience with "Early to Bed". Several hits like "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" are supposed to be his compositions. The musical "Ain't Misbehavin", which was written around his songs and was premiered in 1978, honored the man and his music posthumously.