The history of boogie-woogie
Today the history of a left-hand piano rhythm that slowly conquered African-American music and Rock 'n Roll - the boogie-woogie. It originated in Eastern Texas, probably in the 1870s, but we even start fifty years before that, with a piano sonata of Beethoven that bears a remarkable resemblance to the boogie-woogie.
The early history of boogie-woogie is hardly documented but we do know that it originated in the African-American culture. We will never know if the musical genius that first pounded out the typical musical figures, will ever have heard that sonata of Beethoven - or played it himself from a piece of sheet music. Maybe not the most likely scenario but definitely not impossible.
The first boogie woogie sheet music and recordings come from the mid-twenties. From there, we will go to the boogie-woogie craze of the late thirties and early forties, and make a step into Rock 'n Roll. This definitely is a show you should not miss.
Playlist
- Friedrich Gulda - Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111 (fragment)
- Louisiana Five - Weary Blues
- Jimmy Blythe - Chicago Stomps
- Jimmy Blythe - Mr. Freddie Blues
- Pinetop Smith - Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
- Pinetop Smith - Jump Steady Blues
- Meade Lux Lewis - Honkey Tonk Train Blues
- Jimmy Yancey - Beezum Blues
- Jimmy Yancey - The Fives
- Meade Lux Lewis - Bear Cat Crawl
- Joe Turner & Pete Johnson - Roll 'Em Pete
- Albert Ammons - Shout For Joy
- Will Bradley - Beat me daddy eight to the bar
- Louis Jordan - Choo Choo Ch' Boogie
- Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven
- Camille Howard - X-temperaneous Boogie
Outtro:
- Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
- Albert Ammons - Bugle Boogie
- Albert Ammons & Pete Johnson - Boogie Woogie Dream
- Deryck Sampson - Boogie Express
- Jimmy Yancey - Jimmy's Rocks
- Meade Lux Lewis - Randini's Boogie