Example of boogie woogie music. Some of the most well-known songs came from greats such as child prodigy Frankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson. Robinson was born in 1938 and had learned to play the piano by two years old, despite having no musical training.
Boogie woogie continued the tradition of blues, and between the 1920s and about 1945, was one of America's major musical genres. Boogie woogie was popular among the poorer African American communities, especially in Chicago, New York, and Detroit.
His most well-known songs were 'Caldonia' and 'Numbers Boogie.' Robinson recorded for the Capitol Records label, but left his music career in 1952 to go back to school. Another well-known boogie woogie pianist, Jimmy Yancey, was one of the most sought-after musicians of the house rent parties of the 1920s and 1930s.
Some of the most well-known boogie woogie artists included Charles 'Cow Cow' Davenport, Jimmy Yancey, and the child prodigy Frankie 'Sugar Chile' Robinson. The movement died out when the style started to spread out of the African American community. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Many different instruments are now involved in boogie woogie songs, including guitar, big band and even gospel singing. However, despite the genre’s evolution, the original boogie woogie piano is by far the most popular, distinctive and impactful instrument of the genre.
Boogie Woogie music is one of the most infectious genres out there! Instantly recognisable by its distinct upbeat pace, repetitive bass pattern and counter rhythms, boogie woogie songs can encourage even the shyest listener to get up and dance.
Once you’ve mastered the basics you can move onto Paddy’s brand new boogie woogie course where he has transcribed some of his favourite tunes from Pinetop Smith, Meade Lux Lewis and the great Pete Johnson.
Also emerging out of the 1920’s Chicago music scene, Pinetop Smith was a pioneer of boogie woogie piano music in his own right. In 1928 he was the first musician to record a boogie woogie song named ‘Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie’.
Boogie woogie music originated in the late 1800s, created by travelling African Americans in East Texas, as a derivative of blues – particularly blues piano. Whilst traditional blues piano can portray a variety of emotions, often to do with love, longing and melancholy, boogie woogie blues is all about dancing!