Boogie-woogie

If you have the chance to use the DeLorean time machine from Back to The Future, where will you go? For me, I prefer go back to New York in the 1930s. Walking in New York street at night, choose one of the existing bars in the evening. Inside, witness the grand piano or upright piano located on the stage. At some particular time, the performers start to come in and play. In the evening, with the energic rhythm, people beginning to stand up and stomping their feet based on the rhythm and start dancing. Dance energetically, with the accompaniment of piano unique playing style, and sometimes combined by the drum and guitar. Yes, this is Boogie-Woogie, the fast music similar to blues and suited for dancing. Boogie-Woogie is another music aside from Jazz and Blues which also derived from the African-American Culture. It is believed that the word boogie come from many languages from different ethnicity in Africa, such as Mandingo word’s ‘Booga’ and West African tribe’s ‘Bogi.’ These two words mean the drumbeat and to dance. Hence, the term Boogie-Woogie has a linguistic relationship with the African, as it was also introduced by the African American.

This music firstly developed during the 1890s and started to become well known from the 1920s until the world war 2. At first, the Boogie-Woogie genre is often known as the ‘fast western’ or ‘fast blues’ as many African American pianists in Dallas, Houston, and Galveston played with this similar style. Some of the people also define the Boogie-Woogie as ‘fast Texas, ’ which also refers to the Texas Railroad Company, which is popular at that time. The place noted for the appearance of Boogie-Woogie music is still debated, but many people believe that it comes from Marshall and Harrison County in Texas. This piano-based music has some similarities in pattern with blues music yet has its unique traits. The most visible characteristics are the bass figure, as it has its own unique which later adopted the rock and roll music. Although many Boogie-Woogie players use the piano only, it is not strictly this way. Sometimes, Boogie-Woogie music is also played with the accompaniment of drums, guitar, even big band.

Of course, notable genres required notable musicians to makes the type famous. Albert Ammons is one of these renowned musicians. With Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis, he becomes one of the big three Boogie-Woogie legends. Try to listen to Boogie Woogie Stomp, Boogie Woogie Prayer, Swanee River Boogie, and The Boogie Rocks to witness the great fast-paced improvisation of a legend. Besides, try Pete Johnson to hear a radical fast improvisation from Death Ray Boogie and listen to Rocket Boogie to listen to a boogie-woogie genre in the various instrument, including guitar, drums, and brass instruments which create more vibrant sounds. Last but not least, Meade Lux Lewis also contributes to his significance of this music. Try to listen to Honky Tonk Train Blues, which has some differences in the bass progression and Chicago Flyer to seek the greatness of Meade Lux Lewis piano playing. Happy listening and (perhaps) dancing!