Pianist and composer Fats Waller, whose signature stride style paved the way for the modern jazz piano, was born on this day—May 21—in 1904. Waller performed at Carnegie Hall three times between 1928 and 1942. Photo courtesy of the #CHRoseArchives | Carnegie Hall

Remembering Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943). He was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. His best-known compositions, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose", were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999. Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, ma ny of them co-written with his closest collaborator, Andy Razaf. Raza