Masterpieces Volume II / James P. Johnson Plays Fats Waller

Art Tatum / James P. Johnson
Label
MCA · MCA2-4112
Released
1977
Format
2×LP
Pressing
compilation
Genre
Jazz

MCA twofer reissuing Decca material. Tatum is on Steve Williams’ KUER list. James P. Johnson is the origin point of stride piano and Fats Waller’s teacher, which makes this the earliest jazz lineage in the collection — earlier even than the Bechet. Not an audiophile pressing, but the value here is the performances rather than the cut.