Take one top boogie woogie player, some great world-wide CVs, a host of other top notch pianists similarly inclined and what have you got? A very loud noise? Not at all. More like a very FAST one…who knew fingers could fly that fast over a keyboard!

Indeed, who knew boogie woogie could embrace so many styles with so much variation in a single genre. These A star musicians swing, rattle and roll in all the right places, and then some.

And that’s exactly what’s on offer on Friday 14^th September 2018 at this year’s inaugural International Boogie Woogie Festival at London’s Cadogan Hall.

There have been many festivals in the UK this year but none like this.

Six brilliant boogie woogie players at the very top of their game demonstrating exactly how it should be done, and each with a feel and a style all their own.

Masterminded by Ben Waters, one of the UK’s top boogie woogie players (deemed one of Jools Holland’s favourite piano players of all time in the Mail On Sunday) the event is the first in what is hoped to become an annual event.

The idea of a UK Festival came to Ben after he’d played major festivals of similar ilk in both Vienna and Hamburg.

“Boogie Woogie is a great style of music” he explains. “It has a cadence and an intricacy (and a speed) all its own. But most of all it’s full of joy. It’s really fun and what better way to have a truly terrific night out than to bring some of the world’s very best players together under the one roof. And it’s a roof we plan to raise!”

Ben should know exactly what he’s talking about. He’s worked with some of the greats, played in front of Royalty and travelled the world performing all over the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Barbados, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the USA. Recently returned from playing Sydney Opera House he’s also graced stages in New Orleans, Memphis and Las Vegas and even the wonderful isle of Scilly. It’s fair to say the man knows how to carry a tune.

Of course Boogie Woogie has a venerable tradition. On December 23^rd 1938 two men, Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, headlined a show at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Titled From Spirituals To Swing, it was the first ever mixed race concert at the venue and was so successful that the following day the pair, who played together on two pianos, incredibly sold over a million records. It put boogie woogie firmly on the map with Albert going on to be revered by generations of pianists afterwards.

Joining Ben on the night will be:

Luca Sestak, from Germany  http://www.lucasestak.com/en/

Lady Va, from Switzerland http://ladyva.com/

Louis Coloma, from Spain  https://www.lluiscoloma.com/en/

Daniel Smith, from Scotland   https://www.danielsmithbluesband.com/about  

Eric Ranzoni, from Italy http://www.ericranzoni.co.uk/.

Each of the pianists bring something very special to the evening. From Eric ‘the Rockin’ Roman’ and his distinctive singing style to Scotland’s own Daniel Smith performing a ‘flamenco fusion’.

From the original playing of 23 year old Luca to the accomplished performance of Lady Va who last year won a best Boogie Woogie award (presented by Jools Holland).

From the Spanish and Catalan flavoured  blues and boogie woogie of Louis Coloma to the all out barn-storming, take-no-prisoners style of our own Ben Waters.

Having played with many of the legendary greats himself – The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Shakin’ Stevens, Ray Davies, Jools Holland – Ben Waters knows a good player when he hears one.

“These guys are the absolute best” he says. “I can’t wait – it’s going to be one unbelievable night. A party to remember. You can’t help but be happy when you’re around this music.”

Pete Sargeant