Pianist and composer Thomas 'Fats' Waller is born in New York City.
At a Glance
- Date
- 21 May 1904
- Location
- New York, New York
- Key people
- Fats Waller
- Category
- Music
- Source
- Recordings; biographical records · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
He became one of the most popular and inventive entertainers of the jazz age.
What It Means Now
Waller's songs remain standards of the American songbook.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Fats Waller Is Born.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/fats-waller-is-born/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Fats Waller Is Born. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/fats-waller-is-born/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Fats Waller Is Born.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/fats-waller-is-born/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.