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Willie Eckstein

1888 – 1963

Pianist and composer

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About Willie Eckstein

Lived 1888 – 1963 (aged 74). Willie Eckstein was a Canadian composer and pianist.

William "Willie" Eckstein (6 December 1888 – 23 September 1963), a.k.a. the Boy Paderewski and Mr. Fingers, was a Canadian pianist and composer.

Life and career

William Eckstein was born in Pointe St. Charles, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is said that he began showing signs of prodigious musical talent at the early age of 3 when he played by ear the melody to Home! Sweet Home! on the piano after hearing it performed the day before.

At age 6, Eckstein studied with Moretzky Upton of McGill University, and various other music teachers, who taught him piano, theory and harmony, and at age 12 was offered a piano scholarship to the school.

Due to his small stature, standing under 5 feet, Eckstein first attracted attention dressed as a boy performer and billed as the "Swedish Boy Wonder" while employed for the Bell Piano Company at the Canadian National Exhibition. "You are my all in all" "In sunny summertime" "Good bye sunshine, hello moon!" "Beautiful thoughts : a reverie" "To the King and Queen : from over there" : "A Toast to the King and Queen" (from over there) by [Harold Moon] "Lest you forget" (a song inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame) "S'Nice" (also inducted into the CSHF) "Valse de luxe" "Sunshine trail" "I just can't help lovin' 'em all"

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Mr. Fingers

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Willie Eckstein's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Willie Eckstein?

Pianist and composer (1888-1963)

When was Willie Eckstein born?

Willie Eckstein was born on 6 December 1888 in Montreal.

When did Willie Eckstein die?

Willie Eckstein died on 23 September 1963 in Montreal.

What was Willie Eckstein's occupation?

Willie Eckstein was a composer and pianist.

What nationality was Willie Eckstein?

Willie Eckstein was Canadian.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Willie Eckstein

· Wikidata: Q8021481

· DBpedia: Willie Eckstein

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Willie Eckstein. https://biography.guide/willie-eckstein/

MLA: "Willie Eckstein." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/willie-eckstein/.

Chicago: "Willie Eckstein." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/willie-eckstein/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-25 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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