From
yesterday till, and including Sunday, there's the 1st Festival in
Barcelona dedicated entirely to Boggie Woogie, the happy and carefree
descendent of Blues and forerunner of Rock & Roll born almost a
century ago in the south of the United States, in which the piano is
the king. It's the music for dancing, for enjoying oneself and very
hypnotic, 'like a pleasant journey' said the pianist Lluis Coloma, the
major guardian of the genre in Spain and organizer of the pioneer event
'Campi qui Boogie'.
In
the past decade, Coloma has made his name in the international circuit
taking him to work with American European musicians, very impressed by
the popularity of this kind of music in all big cities. After he
attended the festival in La Roquebrou, in France, he nurtured the idea
of having something similar in Barcelona. He united 5 pianists, 4
locations, also the American Bob Seeley, taking turns in 2 different
stages. During these 4 days there would be various concerts, including
one with the original Boogie fashion with people of the street taking
part dancing. Today and tomorrow the concerts are more formal in the
Hotel Palace.
Boogie
is the kind of music for sharing, always with twin pianos following
the tradition; he and Seeley had recorded an album called International
Boogie Woogie Explosion.
Why
he admired Seeley so much he was asked. 'He is 87 and the music has
made him a complete person, always happy. When I 'grow up', I want to be
just like him.' he said.
While
I was writing this I heard the sad news of the death on Wednesday of
Doc Watson, pioneer of American folk and Bluegrass, at the age of 89.
Rest In Peace, Doc. You will be warmly remembered.
Tags: boogiewoogie
Prev: 31st May 2012 Parrot, Anniversary, Funeral
No comments:
Post a Comment