Episode #787 – Boogie Woogie Rhythm & Blues

Air Week: June 2-8, 2025

Boogie Woogie Rhythm & Blues

Boogie Woogie has the natural ability to make you wanna tap your toes, shake your hips and just all around feel good! The blues style of Boogie Woogie piano features a strong left hand, playing repeated bass lines, leaving the right hand free to improvise around the keys. This produces an uptempo, rollicking feel with a solid groove that makes you want to get up and dance. Men such as Pete Johnson, Albert Ammon, Meade “Lux” Lewis and Fats Domino dominated the field, but some of the best Boogie Woogie you’re ever going to hear was played by women. Hadda Brooks, Camille Howard, Dorothy Donegan and others not only held their own, but in many cases surpassed the men in their playing ability. Don’t let the piano fool ya, Boogie Woogie can also be played on other instruments as Matt The Cat features a few guitar and saxophone boogies to round out the program. So get ready to groove with a smile as the “Juke In The Back” jumps with some Boogie Woogie Rhythm & Blues! 

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