"The Harlem Stride piano style of James Price Johnson (1894-1955) transformed Ragtime into Jazz. He laid the cornerstone of jazz piano before 1920, influencing Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Art Tatum and Thelonious Monk. An absolute master of the keyboard with perfect pitch, James P. is recognized as the foremost proponent of Harlem Stride piano. His protege Fats Waller recalled learning more in his first afternoon with Johnson than the previous 10 years"