Darktown Strutters’ Ball

Here's Fats' opening solo of the old Shelton Brooks standard, Darktown Strutters’ Ball from a performance with his rhythm in 1939.

Of note is the characteristic left-hand bass note counterpoint which very much epitomises the stride piano style.

Plus, in the second chorus, there's a repeated rhythmic motif in the right hand which seems very reminiscent of the playing of one of Fats' famous colleagues, Willie "the Lion" Smith in its "pastoral" pentatonic note choices.

N.B. I adapted the ending based on material Fats plays later and at the end of the performance.

Here's the original for performance reference:

https://youtu.be/W811n2atHpE

Youtube.com noteman