Take a step back through time and imagine yourself in New Orleans. That colorful, vibrant nightlife in the 1920s is as complex and intriguing as the city’s history. Once a French colony, the place was a sophisticated and cosmopolitan society that stood the test of time. From slaves to pirates and everyone in between, it is one of the birth places of jazz music. Thank the diverse and ethnic social groups.
They knew how to have a good time.
It’s one of those places associated with Boogie Woogie. It’s a style born of African American communities and from the 1920s to the 1940s rose to so much fame that all one had to do at a bar was sit and play the piano and everyone would go wild.
It’s still around to this day and even in countries like Germany, you’ll find avid fans of Boogie Woogie as well as musicians who don’t mind spending their lives performing for the locals. Listen to this trio.
This is the Michael Alf Trio.
The Mülheimer Jazzclub is packed and on stage is a piano, bass, and drums. Michael Alf is the pianist. On bass is Karsten Gnettner with Thomas Gugger providing the beat. Even the instruments look like they belong in another era!
The intro is one of those succession of notes that snaps everyone’s necks to look at what’s going on. They’d better be awake! True Boogie Woogie fans will recognize the song as “Boogie Woogie Stomp” by Albert Ammons. One of the genre’s greats.
If this doesn’t make you smile, you need a doctor.
From the moment the trio start playing up until the end, the audience clap along with cheers and whistles to the catchy melody. Michael seems to be in another dimension, his face determined and focused to play and just play. Karsten can’t help but smile. He’s having a great time!
Like a viewer in the comments section says,
“Defy anyone to sit still long faced when hearing/seeing boogie woogie like this.”
That’s impossible. And if you were in that bar already having had a few drinks, you would be clapping and maybe even dancing along to the music if you could. Thomas’s drumming adds a whole new level of awesome to the performance too. He’s even got a few solos thrown in there!
Boogie Woogie is such an energetic style of playing. What’s so great about it is it allows for improvisation and tweaks as you go along. All you need to do is get piano lessons. They say this style will make you a better pianist. Why not if it gets everyone smiling and dancing?
Michael Alf and friends had everyone in the palm of their hands this night.
Talk about key thumping energy. The club is alive! This is what it’s about. Ladies and gents just having a blast. Free flowing drinks and fantastic music are powerful combinations when escaping the weight of the world for awhile.
These three musicians play like there’s no tomorrow. And hopefully they do this every night. Michael’s fingers fly like mad all over the piano keys. All that’s missing are sparks of magic. These guys are amazing! Do we hear an encore?
Clap along with this Boogie Woogie trio in the video below!
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