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If you can help with any of the questions below, please let me know. (Replace [at] with @ in the e-mail address - to help reduce automated junk e-mail). Thanks for everyone for your questions and answers. This page was last updated November 2004.

You can buy some of the recordings mentioned online from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com


Mr Bruce B. Leavitt sent me a fascinating e-mail. It reads:

"In 1942 I had the great pleasure of attending the best Boogie Woogie concert that I have ever heard. I was visiting a U.S.O. club at Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.A. when a Canadian sailor (in H.M.S. Royal Navy uniform) walked in, sat down at the piano, and began to play. Fantastic! As various servicemen entered the club, he soon acquired a large audience. By popular demand (encore after encore) he continued for at least two hours. I never got his name, but he was undoubtedly a professional musician. Would you have any idea, or any suggestions as to how I might find out who he was (by the nationality and/or time factor)? If he ever recorded, I would like to obtain such recording. Thank you... Bruce."

Paul E Nicolaides could be the hero who knows...
"For mr. Leavitt. The gentlemen which he may be refering, i think was a Ray Cox, this man played the piano all the way accress the pacific ocean, when I went to Guam in October 1944"


Mr Steve Williams asked me this. Perhaps you can help?

"My mother want's to obtain a recording of Jack Fina Boogie. This has been her all-time favorite since 1950 but as you know finding old music from long forgotten artists is very hard. If you can take the time to E-mail us a lead where to find or obtain a recording I would appreciate it. Thanks, Steve Williams"

John Redmond may have the answer:
'jack fina's boogie woogie is known as "freddy martins, flight of the bumblebee" or "bumble boogie" the number was recorded by the freddy martin band with jack fina at the piano. the sheet music can be gotten at one of the new york publishing houses of sheet music.'

Jack Davis wrote:
"The person who sent you the e-mail (Steve Williams) might be interested in knowing that I have the original sheet music of Bumble Music by Jack Fina, a Piano Arrangement by Louis Busch. It was Copyright 1946 by Martin Music. While Bumble Boogie is sort of spectacular, I think it is a little too commercial for Boogie lovers."

Geoff St. Andrews confirms the above
"I wonder if Mr. Stevens is refrring to the Bumble Boogie, which was written by Jack Fina. Fina was one of Freddy Martin's pianists. The bumble boogie is on a decca album which dates back a number of years. It is called Freddy Martin's Greatest Hits. I hope this can help."

Noel Elliott adds
"A reissue of the original "Bumble Boogie", played by pianist Jack Fina and the Freddy Martin Orchestra, appears in a brand-new four-CD anthology entitled, "Bands That Can Boogie Woogie" (Jasmine Jasbox 11-4). I just bought my copy from Amazon.com."


Mr Peter Meadows asked this:

"I have been searching for information on a Boogie Woogie artist that was co-featured on a Bravo TV channel show called South Bank. This episode was on the history of Boogie Woogie and had marvelous music and footage of all the greats...down from Pinetop to Axel Zwingenberger. It was Axel that I was truly impressed with and I have only been able to find out that he has a CD out called Boogie Woogie Classics. I would very much like to know if you or anyone could direct me to where I could purchase this CD in the US."


Mr Stephen Smart asks:

"...can you help. Ive been trying to track down some sheet music or a midi recording of an old winifred track called 'Cross Hands Boogie' by Derek New.(Decca 'The World of..Winifred Atwell)"

Ron Van Haevermaet found a CD for sale online
"Hi mister Wheals,
There is a question about a song from Winifred Atwell called " Crosshands Boogie " hereby the URL of a person that still own this EP :
http://www.deltamusic.co.uk/product.php?media=CD&product=CD6577&sb="


Mr Johnny Lite asks:

"...I have a question for any who could help. My favorite player is Pete Johnson, especially Dive Bomber, and Mr Freddie Blues (also recorded by Meade Lux Lewis, and others). Wish I had music to their songs--tho I doubt any exists. Anyone know of sheet music of similar songs by any artist? Also, anyone know of where I can get any sheet music of Pete's songs. I used to own a Melrose published book of Pete's, and Al Ammon's songs (including Bass goin' Crazy!!), but lost it ... thanks."

Dr Gšsta Gemne was kind enough to reply
"I am pleased to be able to inform Mr Lite that there is a CD, "The First Day" featuring Al Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis in among other tune, the fine "Bass Going Crazy". Itis a recording from the first recording session of Jan. 6, 1929, published in 1992 by Capitol Records."

Thanks to Joel Geoffrey who also replied
A side issue to Johnny Lites' request. The original recording of "Mr. Freddy's Blues" by Freddie McShane is on the same album with another great, but underappreciated, artist , Montana Taylor. Since I have recently moved, I don't have exact information on this CD, but will convey it when I come across it. I might add that Montana Taylor had some very good stuff on this CD.
Thank You,
Joel Geoffrey


Michael Thornton wrote:
Dear Sir
About fifteen years ago I had the great pleasure of meeting a few Boogie Woogie giants through a friend of mine who was a big name in the business. Unfortunately my friend has since died and left me with the passion for the true Boogie Woogie flavour. Amonst the people I met and watch play was George Green, in my opinion, the best player around today. However I have had no luck in finding any of his recordings. Can you please help?
Awaiting the favour of your reply I remain yours hopefully
M.F.Thornton


Cliff Bamford wrote:
"I'm looking for a copy (on any medium - CD preferrred) of an old 72 RPM recording called The Carl Boogie; as I recall the record label was red with gold lettering. I last had a copy in New York in the late 50s when I was a kid, sorry I can't provide any other clues. Any assistance in tracking down this masterpiece would be greatly appreciated."
Regards
Cliff Bamford

Noel Elliott has the answer:
"The recording that Mr. Bamford refers to is "Carle Boogie", recorded by Frankie Carle and His Orchestra. This recording also appears in the anthology described above, 'Bands That Can Boogie Woogie'"


Delaunay Europe wrote:
"I am looking for an old recording named "Answer to the prayer" an old favourite of mine out of the days when I was still young. And that is a long time ago. "Answer to the prayer" came on one 78 tours which you had to turn over to hear the other half of the recording. Would you know whether this recording, preferably played by the original pianists exist somewhere on CD. The pianists were (as far as I remember) Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis (?) and one other guy.
Should you have some information or may help me find my way on the Internet, you sure would be a big help.
Thank you."

Noel Elliott nearly has the answer:
"In 1938-39 Pete Johnson, Albert Ammons, and Meade Lux Lewis gave several three-piano boogie woogie concerts that were recorded. The selections were longer than the usual 2 to 3 minutes because they were live. As a result, the recordings would not fit on one side of a 78. There were three of them that I can recall: "Cavalcade of Boogie", "Boogie Woogie Prayer", and "Answer to the Prayer". The question concerns the last of these three. Unfortunately, I don't know where it can be purchased, but the other two are available in anthologies. I haven't heard any of them in years, but my recollection is that "Answer..." sounds almost the same as "Boogie Woogie Prayer". I would recommend the following anthology: "The Boogie Woogie Trio, Vol. 1&2" issued last August by Storyville Records. It is available from Amazon.com. The two-CD set has a total of 45 of the best boogie woogie recordings ever made."


Sue Ryder wrote:
"We have a question for boogie woogie piano fans,please could anyone help my dad. He is trying to find out the real name of the pianist called "The Professor"(he wore a trilby),he appeared in a 20 minute film shown on t.v. 3-4 years ago with Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons.The film showed him playing in his own home,the gathering of all his friends following his funeral,and an interview with his wife.Does anyone know what this film was called and if it can be obtained.
Thankyou everybody."


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