Fred Astaire: Jazz Pianist

At his dancing best, Fred Astaire had the grace and cunning of a fencer. His swing-era manner, daring routines and silky steps still captivate. Less well known (or too easily forgotten) was Astaire's ability as a pianist. His keyboard moments in film are easily overlooked because his ballroom moves steal the show. 

Here are three clips from movies that feature brief interludes of Astaire pounding the ivories—thanks to JazzWax reader John Cooper...

From Follow the Fleet (1936)...



From Let's Dance (1950)...



From Roberta (1935)...