Willie Eckstein

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"