Andy Razaf

Andy Razaf (actually Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; born December 16, 1895 in Washington, DC; † February 3, 1973 in North Hollywood ) was an American author of lyrics. He was known for his collaborations with Fats Waller.

Life and work

Andy Razaf is the great-nephew of the last queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III. , His mother was the daughter of an American Consul. This had fled as a sixteen year old pregnant in the United States when Madagascar was occupied by the French as a colony. Later the family moved to New York where Razaf andstaying as elevator operator; the way he began to write lyrics. Since initially no one was interested in it, he wrote poetry, which he published in Harlem newspapers. Finally he learned in the 1920s the pianist Fats Waller know; he wrote lyrics to his most important songs like Love Will Find A Way and standards such as Memories Of You ( music by Eubie Blake ) and, together with Fats Waller - Is not Misbehavin ' and Honeysuckle Rose, that ever jazz standards. Other well-known songs were That's What I Like ' Bout the South and later Glenn Miller hit In the Mood, sold the Razaf for $ 200.

In 1932, the cooperation between Waller and Razaf ended; the pianist now focused more on playing than on writing songs. Razaf continued his songwriting activities continued until his death in 1973.

Particularly noteworthy set to music by Fats Waller anti-racist song (What Did I Do to Be so ) Black and Blue? , The Louis Armstrong recited often impressive.