Players

 

 
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Here is a selection of great boogie woogie or hardbop blues pianists, past and present (also see the Links page).

   

Bobby Timmons

 

 One of the most talented of the innovative hardbop players. His playing was infused with the blues.

Henry Butler    

A fiercely percussive contemporary blues and boogie player from New Orleans.

Horace Silver

 

 Horace Silver's playing and compositions defined hardbop. His music combines jazz, latin, boogie and much else.  Still playing. Now affectionately known as "Hardbop Grandpop".

 

Jimmy Yancey

 

 Jimmy Yancey is often referred to as "the father of boogie woogie.  He was mentor to Lux Lewis and others, including Pinetops Smith.  For subtlety and depth of blues feeling, he remains the best. He died in 1951.

 

Junior Mance

 

He is a fine boogie woogie player, having learnt directly from Albert Ammons.  From Albert's son, Gene, he learnt to play hardbop and became a leading player in the style.  Still going strong.

Les McCann

A pioneer funk, blues and jazz player, Les McCann swings like mad.  Happily, he is still playing.

Meade Lux Lewis

 

 His "Honky Tonk Train Blues", first recorded in 1928, defined boogie and inspired thousands to copy his style.  Noted for his power, fascinating polyrhythms and adventurous chord clusters.

Mose Allison

 

Idiosyncratic and much loved hardbop blues player from the Mississippi with deep roots in the blues. He is still playing (and singing) as well as ever.

Steve Big Man Clayton

 One of the best of the many boogie woogie players earning their living in Europe. His exuberant playing and singing has both power and subtlety.

Ray Bryant

 

 Another of the pioneer hardbop players, who also loved to play boogie. He had a wonderful technique.

Wesley Wallace

 

An early so called "primitive" player whose polyrhythmic piano style combined with speech is impossible to copy.

Mike Kindred

 

 An exciting and original contemporary boogie player from Texas whose dynamic playing combines boogie woogie with hardbop (click on name).
   
 

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