![[Holiday] [Jazz & Song] [Waller, Thomas "Fats." (1904-1943)] Smith, Willie "The Lion". (1893 - 1973) Original Photograph with Fats Waller and Signed Photograph Sending Christmas Wishes](http://www.schubertiademusic.com/cdn/shop/files/Willie_Smith_Sp_10828419.jpg?v=1722188001)
[Holiday] [Jazz & Song] [Waller, Thomas "Fats." (1904-1943)] Smith, Willie "The Lion". (1893 - 1973). Original Photograph with Fats Waller and Signed Photograph Sending Christmas Wishes. Rare photograph printed with a Holiday message, inscribed at the head in ink by important Jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, "Your! LION I. WILL. ALWAYS. LOVE YOU. ODILE." 13.5 x 10 cm. Fine. Together with a photograph of Smith and Fats Waller; 10.2 x 12.2 cm. Trimmed irregularly, otherwise fine.
Willie Smith was as well known for his flamboyant behavior, ever present cigar and derby hat as he was for his Harlem stride style piano. After serving on the front in WWI, where he earned his name "The Lion" for his bravery, he returned to playing in clubs in New York and recorded his first record as an accompanist for Mamie Smith. He quickly became a mentor for younger musicians such as Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbecke, Artie Shaw, and the Dorsey Brothers. As the 1920s arrived, a new form of jazz piano playing emerged out of Harlem -- stride -- and it was for his mastery of this evolution from ragtime, that Smith is most remembered.
Willie Smith was as well known for his flamboyant behavior, ever present cigar and derby hat as he was for his Harlem stride style piano. After serving on the front in WWI, where he earned his name "The Lion" for his bravery, he returned to playing in clubs in New York and recorded his first record as an accompanist for Mamie Smith. He quickly became a mentor for younger musicians such as Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbecke, Artie Shaw, and the Dorsey Brothers. As the 1920s arrived, a new form of jazz piano playing emerged out of Harlem -- stride -- and it was for his mastery of this evolution from ragtime, that Smith is most remembered.
[Holiday] [Jazz & Song] [Waller, Thomas "Fats." (1904-1943)] Smith, Willie "The Lion". (1893 - 1973). Original Photograph with Fats Waller and Signed Photograph Sending Christmas Wishes. Rare photograph printed with a Holiday message, inscribed at the head in ink by important Jazz pianist and one of the masters of the stride style, "Your! LION I. WILL. ALWAYS. LOVE YOU. ODILE." 13.5 x 10 cm. Fine. Together with a photograph of Smith and Fats Waller; 10.2 x 12.2 cm. Trimmed irregularly, otherwise fine.
Willie Smith was as well known for his flamboyant behavior, ever present cigar and derby hat as he was for his Harlem stride style piano. After serving on the front in WWI, where he earned his name "The Lion" for his bravery, he returned to playing in clubs in New York and recorded his first record as an accompanist for Mamie Smith. He quickly became a mentor for younger musicians such as Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbecke, Artie Shaw, and the Dorsey Brothers. As the 1920s arrived, a new form of jazz piano playing emerged out of Harlem -- stride -- and it was for his mastery of this evolution from ragtime, that Smith is most remembered.
Willie Smith was as well known for his flamboyant behavior, ever present cigar and derby hat as he was for his Harlem stride style piano. After serving on the front in WWI, where he earned his name "The Lion" for his bravery, he returned to playing in clubs in New York and recorded his first record as an accompanist for Mamie Smith. He quickly became a mentor for younger musicians such as Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbecke, Artie Shaw, and the Dorsey Brothers. As the 1920s arrived, a new form of jazz piano playing emerged out of Harlem -- stride -- and it was for his mastery of this evolution from ragtime, that Smith is most remembered.