StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: The joint is jumping with Fats Waller

This week, let's take a look at some clips of pianist, singer and songwriter Thomas "Fats" Waller, whose work inspired the hit musical Ain't Misbehavin', currently being revived by Stages St. Louis.

Waller made his first recordings in 1922 at the age of 18, and in just a few years became one of the most popular entertainers in the United States, performing in nightclubs and theaters, on the radio, and eventually in films. An excellent pianist, effective vocalist, and a charismatic presence with a talent for wisecracks and comic mugging, Waller also wrote dozens of hit songs, a good number of which are included in Ain't Misbehavin'. (Waller also had a St. Louis connection during the latter part of his career, as he often employed clarinetist and saxophonist Gene Sedric, who was born here in St. Louis.)

Waller's most famous film appearance was in the 1943 movie Stormy Weather, which became a commercial hit and still stands as a pivotal work in the history of African-American cinema. Sadly, it also would be his last appearance in a film, for while taking a cross-country train trip back to Hollywood to begin work on a follow-up movie, Waller contracted pneumonia and died while in route, near Kansas City, at the age of 39.

In the late 1970s, the success of Ain't Misbehavin' on Broadway (with a cast that included St. Louis native Ken Page) helped bring Waller's music to the attention of a new generation. More than 30 years later, the show continues to be revived regularly by professional, community and college theaters, ensuring that Waller and his music will be remembered fondly for a good while to come.

Today, we've got a half-dozen clips of Waller's own performances of songs included in Ain't Misbehavin', plus a little something extra. While these videos emphasize Waller as entertainer, rather than as virtuoso musician, they do include ample amounts of his playing and singing, and in addition to being historically important, they're just plain fun to see and hear.

Up top, we start with "The Joint Is Jumping," which serves as the first act closer of Ain't Misbehavin', and here is performed by Waller for a "Soundie" - a sort of early music video - depicting a house party. (Be sure you watch until the very end to see the cops who have come to bust the joint start dancing.)

Down below is Waller's performance of the song "Ain't Misbehavin'", taken from Stormy Weather. The lovely lady is none other than Lena Horne, and there also are glimpses of dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, drummer Zutty Singleton, bassist Slam Stewart and trumpeter Benny Carter.

The third clip depicts Waller performing "Honeysuckle Rose," one of his most famous compositions and one that has been covered by dozens of other singers and musicians. Next, it's "Your Feet's Too Big," a comedic number that demonstrates Waller's singular mix of erudition - note the use of the phrase "pedal extremities" - and earthiness. That's followed by another performance from Stormy Weather, a blues called "That Ain't Right" that features Waller and singer Ada Brown.

The last two clips show more visuals of dancers than of Waller, but still have both musical and historical interest. The first is a version of "I've Got My Fingers Crossed," which is used near the end of the second act of Ain't Misbehavin' as the show builds to a climax.

Finally, as a sort of lagniappe, there's one song that's not included in Ain't Misbehavin', a performance of "I'm Living In A Great Big Way" as sung in the 1935 film Hooray For Love by Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Waller. That's dancer Jeni Le Gon with Robinson at the beginning of the clip.

For more about Fats Waller, check out his page on RedHotJazz.com, and the online version of the exhibit "Fats Waller Forever" from Rutgers University.

Stages' production of Ain't Misbehavin' runs until July 1, and features a live band led by pianist Adaron "Pops" Jackson and including Jason Swagler (alto sax, clarinet), Kendrick Smith (tenor sax, clarinet), Cody Henry (trombone), Matt Bittles (trumpet), Jahmal Nichols (bass), and Bernard Long, Jr. (drums). For ticket information and a schedule of performances, see the Stages St. Louis website.

Jazz this week: JazzU with Tim Warfield, Benjamin Cawthra on jazz photography, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and more

With Memorial Day come and gone and local presenters now on their summer schedules, the number of touring jazz musicians coming through St. Louis definitely takes a noticeable drop at this time of year. At the same time, there are plenty of other things competing for the public's attention, from summer outdoor activities to musical events like this Saturday's RFT Music Showcase.

But even with all that, there still are some noteworthy jazz events featuring both visitors and local musicians happening around town over the next few days, if you know where to look. Let's go to the highlights...

Tonight, singer Ralph Butler is at Robbie's House of Jazz; keyboard player and singer Jesse Gannon plays at the Delmar Lounge; and guitarist Tom Byrne leads the weekly jam session at the Highway 61 Roadhouse.

On Friday, the Jazz St. Louis All-Stars and other students from the organization's JazzU program will open their annual weekend of performances at Jazz at the Bistro. This year, the young musicians also have on board a special guest star, saxophonist Tim Warfield, who's played with Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Terrell Stafford, and numerous others.

Friday also is the opening night for Stages St. Louis' revival of the Fats Waller musical Aint' Misbehavin'. The cast (pictured) performs more than two dozen songs associated with Waller, accompanied by a seven-piece live band led by pianist Adaron "Pops" Jackson. The show runs through the end of the month, with multiple performances each week; see the Stages website for details.

Also on Friday, singer Ken Haller will perform "The TV Show" at the Kranzberg Arts Center under the auspices of cabaret producers The Presenters Dolan. As the name implies, the show features "songs written for TV from Sesame Street to Smash, from Cinderella to Animaniacs."

Other gigs on Friday include guitarist Matt McCallie and his band at Robbie's House of Jazz; tenor saxophonist Austin Cebulski leading a quartet with pianist Dave Grelle, bassist Ryan Chamberlain and drummer Marty Morrison at the Cigar Inn; and saxophonist Tim Cunningham's weekly performance at Jazz on Broadway.

Last but not least, Friday's also the first day of the annual Art & Air Festival in Webster Groves. This year's lineup of entertainment for the free outdoor event includes several acts that may be of interest to jazz listeners, including Bridge with Dave Black and singer Erin Bode with Orange on Friday; singer Anita Rosamond on Saturday; and singer Heather Matthews and Sandy Weltman & Hot Club Caravan on Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon, the St. Louis Big Band performs a matinee concert at the Missouri History Museum. Admission is free for anyone who brings a can of food to donate to local food banks. Then on Saturday night, the eclectic roots music band Sins of the Pioneers, who mix up western swing, New Orleans jazz, jump blues, and several other genres, will play at Focal Point, 2720 Sutton in Maplewood.

On Sunday afternoon, Bob Coleman's Legacy Big Band will perform their Glenn Miller-themed show "Miller Magic" at the Sheldon Concert Hall; and author and former St. Louisan Benjamin Cawthra will be at the Missouri History Museum to speak about his book Blue Notes in Black and White: Photography and Jazz. Saxophonist Kelvin Evans will play a short set of standards before the lecture.

Looking beyond the weekend, on Monday, Tom Byrne brings his Pat Metheny-inspired project Have You Heard? back to BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups; and on Tuesday, guitarist Dave Black plays an early evening set at BB's.

For more jazz-related events in and around St. Louis, please visit the St. Louis Jazz Notes Calendar, which can be found on the left sidebar of the site or by clicking here. You also can keep up with all the latest news by following St. Louis Jazz Notes on Twitter at http://twitter.com/StLJazzNotes or clicking the "Like" icon on the StLJN Facebook page.

(If you have calendar items, band schedule information, news tips, links, or anything else you think may be of interest to StLJN's readers, please email the information to stljazznotes (at) yahoo (dot) com. If you have photos, MP3s or other digital files, please send links, not attachments.)

Stages St. Louis production of Fats Waller musical Ain't Misbehavin' opens June 1

Stages St. Louis will present a revival of the Fats Waller musical Ain't Misbehavin' beginning at 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 1 and continuing through Sunday, July 1 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre, 111 S. Geyer Rd. in Kirkwood.

The show, which premiered on Broadway in 1978 and was one of the first successful examples of the now ubiquitous jukebox musical, is built around performances of well-known songs associated with Waller, including the title tune, "The Joint Is Jumpin'," "Lounging at the Waldorf," "Honeysuckle Rose," and many others. The original Broadway production included St. Louis native Ken Page in its cast, and won both the Tony and Drama Desk awards for best musical.

The cast for Stages' production of the show includes Raena White, Willena Vaughn, Eric Lajuan Summers, Dwelvan David and Wendy Lynette Fox. The band, which appears on stage as part of the show, will be led by pianist Adaron “Pops” Jackson, who also has a named role as "Luther," after Luther Henderson, pianist and musical director for the original Broadway cast. The band also will include Jason Swagler (alto sax), Kendrick Smith (tenor sax), Cody Henry (trombone), Matt Bittles (trumpet), Jahmal Nichols (bass) and Bernard Long, Jr. (drums). Stages' co-founder and artistic director Michael Hamilton is directing the show, with Lisa Campbell Albert as musical director.

After the opening weekend, Ain't Misbehavin' will play Tuesdays through Sundays until the conclusion of the run. Tickets are priced from $55 to $35, and are available in advance by phone at 314-821-2407 or online at www.stagesstlouis.org. Stages also offers $15 student/senior rush tickets, which are sold at the box office just before showtime if seats are available.