Jitterbug Waltz

"Jitterbug Waltz"
Single by Thomas "Fats" Waller and His Rhythm
Recorded	March 16, 1942
Studio	RCA Victor
Genre	Jazz • swing • waltz
Songwriter(s)	Fats Waller

"Jitterbug Waltz" is a 1942 jazz composition by Fats Waller. Initially recorded the same year by his jazz combo, Fats Waller and His Rhythm, it has been performed and recorded by numerous musicians, including Art Tatum, Erroll Garner, Chet Atkins, Vince Guaraldi, Butch Thompson, Al Hirt,^[1] Eric Dolphy,^[2] and David Murray.

Composition and recording

The song is in the key of E♭ major and is in 3/4 time.

The melody was inspired by piano exercises that Waller's son, Maurice, had been playing at the time. Maurice claims that Jitterbug Waltz was the first jazz waltz ever written.^[3][4]

When Waller composed "Jitterbug Waltz", he was 38 years old and at the high point of his career as a veteran recording artist for RCA Victor. It is notable^{[according to whom?]} for being one of the first jazz records recorded with a Hammond organ, an instrument that gained popularity in the genre soon after.^{[citation needed]}

In popular media

• Waller's original recording was licensed for use in the 2010 video game Bioshock 2.^[5]

References

1. "Al (He's The King) Hirt And His Band* – Al (He's The King) Hirt And His Band". Discogs. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
2. Horricks, Raymond (1989). The Importance of Being Eric Dolphy. D J Costello. p. 38. ISBN 0-7104-3048-5.
3. Cooper, Victor (2018-08-25). "Stories of Standards: Jitterbug Waltz". KUVO (Radio station). Denver, CO. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
4. Reelblack One; Johnson, Howard (2019-09-23) [1985]. Fats Waller: This Joint Is Jumping' | Documentary (c. 1985). Event occurs at 32:42. Retrieved 2024-10-30 – via YouTube.
5. "Various – BioShock 2 (The Official Soundtrack: Music From And Inspired By The Game)". Discogs. Retrieved 2024-10-30.

External links

• "Jitterbug Waltz". jazzstandards.com.