Biography
Charles Luckyeth Roberts, 7 August 1887, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, d. 5 February 1968, New York City, New York, USA. After working in vaudeville as a child, Roberts moved to New York where he established a minor reputation as a composer and a major one as a performer of rags and, later, stride piano. In the years between the wars, Roberts’ composing talents were recognized more and several of his musical shows were produced. During the 40s and early 50s he owned and regularly played at a Harlem bar. Roberts made few records and most of these were early piano rolls, while his later records were made after he had suffered strokes and injuries in a road accident. Nevertheless, it is possible to understand the awe felt by such pianists as Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith at his astonishing technique, a technique that was greatly facilitated by his remarkably large hands.
Read the Full Biography of Luckey Roberts / Willie Smith
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