GUEST
OF HONOUR:
Little Willie Littlefield (piano/vocals, Houston, Texas, USA)
We are very proud to be able to announce the Guest of Honour of the festival:
the living legend Little Willie Littlefield (Houston/Texas/USA).
Fats Domino always mentions Littlefield as one of his favorite piano players
and musical inspirators. Littlefied played in shows with Ray Charles,
BB King, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
Little Willie Littlefield began his career as a recording artist at the
age of 16 for Eddie's Records in Houston. His first recording "Little
Willie's Boogie" was a hit in Texas. In Houston Willie recorded 8
tracks for Eddie's Records and Freedom Records in 1948/1949.
While
in Houston, word reached the Bihari brothers (owners of the Modern-label
in Los Angeles) about a teenage wonderboy pianist who was currently breaking
up at the Eldorado Ballroom. Before leaving Houston Jules Bihari had already
inked a contract, recorded Littlefield's first side "It's Midnight"
and arranged for Littlefield to come to the West Coast. When Littlefield
arrived in L.A.later that month "It's Midnight" was a big hit
(peaked at 3) in the chards nationwide and he was booked in L.A.'s Melody
Club and in Johnny Otis' famous Barrelhouse in Watts. He was an overnight
sensation.
"It's
Midnight" not only established him in the Rhythm and Blues field,
but also left an impression on other upcoming stars such as Fats Domino
who developed his triplet piano style from the Littlefield recording.
Littlefield
recorded about 30 tracks for Modern in 1949, 1950 and 1951 and scored
some more hits such as "Farewell"and "I've been lost".
He recorded with L.A.'s leading Rhythm and Blues session musicians including
saxplayers Maxwell Davis and Buddy Floyd, guitarists Chuck Norris and
Johnny Moore and drummers Al Wichard and Jessie Price.
In
1952 Littlefield switched to Federal Records where he cut many successful
sides including the original version of "Kansas City" (original
title was "K.C.Loving"). By 1957 he had moved to Northern California
and recorded for Rhythm Records where he produced his hit "Ruby Ruby".
During
the sixties he was content to play various clubs around the San Francisco
area. In the seventies he was re-discovered and returned to the public
stage with appearances at the first San Francisco Bluesfestival and the
Sacramento Bluesfestival. In the mid-seventies he recorded several sides
for Blues Connoisseur Records.
In
1978 he did his first, very successful, tour in Europe. Since 1980 Willie
has been continually on the road in Europe, playing theatres, clubs and
festivals.His first performance at the Montreux Jazzfestival was broadcasted
on television by the BBC. He appeared at many radio- and televisionshows
all over Europe. But Willie also continued his performances outside Europe.
Willie toured in Canada and appeared at the Chicago Bluesfestival in 1988.
He performed in the Australian film "Love in Limbo", presented
at the Berlin filmfestival 1993.
During
the period 1980-1997 he recorded 10 albums for several european recordcompanies.
These albums were spoken in much appreciation by the music crititcs. |
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Click on the photo for live pictures...! |
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Bob
Seeley (piano, Detroit, USA)
Bob Seeley is arguably America's greatest living boogie woogie pianist.
Peter Silvester's book on the history of boogie woogie, "A Left Hand
Like God" (1988), mentions him extensively, but at the time that
book was written, Seeley had not yet been recorded. Since then, Seeley
has released five CD's and is working on number six with Boogie Bob Baldori.
Detroiter Bob Seeley is a piano player like Mickey Mantle was a ball player.
The 77 year old pianist has been a fixture at the piano bar at Charlie's
Crabe in suburban Troy, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, where he entertained
the locals and visiting dignitaries for over 32 years. It isn't just that
he's an extraordinary pianist. He's an indomitable soul who has played
Carnegie Hall several times and most of the major venues throughout Europe.
He is universally hailed as possibly the greatest proponent of boogie
woogie and stride alive today.
His most conspicuous influence was Meade Lux Lewis, one of the three giants
of boogie woogie (along with Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson), and a great
friend of Seeley's. Bob first met the maestro during a Detroit gig in
the late 1940s and a longstanding friendship in the 1950s and 1960s developed,
which influenced Seeley's piano styling and has resulted in a very rhythmical
form of boogie woogie. He also had a chance to chauffer and play piano
with none less than Art Tatum, who reportedly was duly impressed with
the music of the relative youngster. Eubie Blake was also among Seeley's
circle of friends and mutual fans.
Well versed in classic blues, Seeley worked for a while as accompanist
to Sippie Wallace, the Great blues vocalist who was rediscovered in the
1980s and would eventually be nominated for a Grammy. Seeley is an all-around
pianist whose interest and repertoire span piano music from the entire
20th century. It includes the music of Kern, Gershwin and Debussy as well
as the standard works of ragtime, stride, blues and of course boogie woogie.
Peter Silvester writes "His solos are notable for their coherence
and logical progression, which propels them to a satisfying climax. Of
all the contemporary pianists, Seeley reproduces the sound and spirit
of Meade Lux Lewis with the most conviction and sometimes even surpasses
the master" (p. 247-248). |
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Bob Seeley |
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Don
'Papadon' Washington (piano/vocals, New York, USA)
Don started playing the piano at the age of five. It was a rule in his
father's house that every child learns how to play an instrument and
sing. Being the youngest of five children, Don was determined to stand
out from the pack, and that he did!
In addition to mastering the piano, he learned to play the organ, drums,
saxophone, tuba, bass, guitar, and harmonica.
Don's father, the late William M. Washington, groomed his children to
be his personal praise and worship team at the Royal Church of God in
Christ, in Kent, N.Y. It was during this time that Don learned the vocal
and instrumental styles and techniques that would later make him a blues
man.
It wasn't until the early 1990's that Don became interested in the blues.
Like many young, black kids, he thought that this music was old, outdated,
and just left over from slavery. This thought would soon be changed!
In the spring of 1991, Don had a chance to see Buddy Guy perform live
at the Penguin Club in Ottawa, Ontario. The performance was so powerful
that Don left the show mesmerized. He realized at that moment that his
gospel roots gave him the tools he needed to play and sing the blues.
Don presently teaches K-12 music and lives with his wife Dawn in Ogdensburg
N.Y.
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Don
'Papadon' Washington
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Martin
Schmitt (piano/vocals, Germany)
Martin Schmitt was born in Muenchen, Germany. When he was twelve years
old, he heard a boogie woogie record of his father's collection. From
that moment onwards, Martin knew what he'd like to do... He focussed on
playing boogie woogie piano. And with great succes...!
In a few years, Martin had his first performances and nowadays he travels
all around the world for more than fifteen years with his swinging piano
concerts.
Martin is a brilliant piano player with a unique and powerful piano style.
He treats you with a great musical show. Martin has a beautiful deep voice
and a great repertoiry that varies from Boogie to Blues and from Harlem
Stride to Rhythm & Blues.
We are excited to announce to you in Holland: the one and only: Martin
Schmitt...! |
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Martin
Schmitt |
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Martijn
Schok (piano/bluesharp, Holland)
The name Martijn Schok is synonymous with boogie woogie and piano blues.
Martijn has played all the major Dutch jazz and blues festivals and can
also be seen regularly at festivals both in Europe and the USA.
Martijn performs solo, as well as with his swinging 5-piece band, and
has up till now released twelve successful boogie woogie CDs.
Martijn's
piano style is characterized by a large dose of swing, a steady groove
and a high degree of virtuosity. It is clear he has a great deal of respect
and admiration for the music of the early American boogie woogie originators.
Martijn is a respected interpreter of the boogie woogie style and appears
at famous international festivals, such as the festival in New Orleans
(Louisiana, USA), the Queen City Blues Festival in Cincinnati (Ohio, USA),
the Motor City Boogie & Blues Festival in Detroit (Michigan, USA),
and the international boogie woogie festivals in Switzerland, Belgium,
France, England, Spain and the USA. |
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Martijn
Schok |
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Jeroen
Sweers (piano/vocals, Holland)
At a young age, Dutch boogie-woogie pianist Jeroen Sweers (28) was fascinated
by music and was especially attracted by the piano. After a couple of
pianolessons it became clear that he prefered one style in particular,
the boogie-woogie. In 2001, famous Dutch boogie-woogie player Jaap Dekker
asked him to join the theatre show the ‘Grand Piano Boogie Train’
as an additional pianoman. Still studying at the School of Music he took
this great opportunity and played for an exited audience night after night.
In 2003, Jeroen became one of the ‘train drivers’ when he
joined the Grand Piano Boogie Train permanently. The theatre tour that
followed would take him across the country.
When
Jeroen graduated in 2003 for his final exams on the School of Music the
time was right to start his own boogie-woogie band and get it on the road!
In September 2003 the first performance of the Jeroen Sweers Boogie Woogie
Band was a fact.
Now,
three years later, the band is well known throughout the country on all
major boogie-woogie, jazz and blues festivals. The band has a reputation
for spectacular performances and has an enormous energy. In 2006, saxophone
player Arnoud de Graaff became the latest sensational infusion into the
rising star of the Jeroen Sweers Boogie Woogie Band.
The
band is well known for its own, original compositions, including pianoblues
and occasionally a bluesy jazzstandard, supported by Jeroen’s mean
and spirited voice. Besides being creative, they also pay tribute to famous
boogie–woogie masters like Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson.
Their
hard work and dedication to their music was rewarded with the 2004 debut
record SHIFTING GEARS, on the well known Dutch boogie and blues lable
Oldie Blues. The album is a true piece of boogie-woogie documentation
and proofs that the star of the JSBW-band is still rising.
With
piano, uprightbass, drums and saxophone the JSBWBand is now one of the
most original and creative bands in Europe.
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Jeroen
Sweers |
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Philou
(tapdance/vocals, Guadeloupe)
One of the worlds best tapdancers. Philou is not only tapdancer, but also
a great singer. He regularly performs in the Cotton Club in Paris, and travels
with his spectacular tapdance show all over the world.
Philou performs with lots of succes during two of the previous editions
of the International Boogie Woogie Festival Holland. On requests of many
festival visitors, he is invited for an -exclusive- performance during the
festival in Ermelo.
Enjoy the swinging show of this tapdance champion...!
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Philou
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Michael
Pewny (piano, Austria)
Michael Pewny was born in Vienna on November 11th, 1963.As making music
runs in the family, he started playing classical piano at the age of six.
At age thirteen, he taught himself to play Blues & Boogie Woogie piano
by listening to old records of his favourite piano players, Albert Ammons,
Pete Johnson and Meade Lux Lewis, who were popular in the USA in the late
30s. It was the legendary 1976 Vienna Boogie Woogie Session which inspired
him to intensify his piano efforts.
Already in 1979 Michael had his first concert at the VHS in Hietzing and
then at the Viennese blues club "Papa's Tapas" not before 1981.
After nine years of playing in clubs (especially at Jazzland and Roter
Engel) to finance his university studies and during the ensuing military
service, he recorded his first LP "Vienna Boogie Woogie" with
Torsten Zwingenberger on drums in 1988.
In 1990, Bellaphon became interested in his music and released "Left
Hand Roller" featuring Michael together with the British singer Dana
Gillespie. After several trips to the USA with Günther Schifter,
primarily to New Orleans, and journeys to Asia, he recorded his second
CD "Boogie On My Mind" featuring Martin Wichtl on saxophone
and the singer Sabine Ruzicka from Krems (unfortunately the cooperation
came to a halt when she pursued a medical career).
In 1994, Bellaphon released the CD "Vienna Boogie Woogie", followed
by "Crazy 'Bout Boogie" in 1996, which featured Christian Dozzler
on harmonica, vocals and accordion. Festivals in Austria (Vienna) and
abroad (Munich, Paris, Ecaussinnes and Burghausen) as well as trips to
L.A. and Barcelona gave Michael inspiration and ideas for the recording
of "Movin' To Chicago" in 1999, which features Al Cook, Martin
Breinschmid and his father Leopold. It was the first recording under the
control of his own label "Susy
Records".
In 2000, on the occasion of his 20th stage anniversary, which coincided
with the Millennium year, he released "20 Years Jamboree" in
co-operation with Oscar Klein, Gerd Stächelin and Hans Bichler.
In 2001 Steamin' Blues was released by Susy Records which has been featuring
Sister Shirley Sydnor (USA), Katie Kern, Gerald Seilinger, Alfred Winter
and Heini Altbart.
2003 was an interesting and very international year. First of all the
production of his first DVD and then festivals in Lugano (Switzerland)
with Silvan Zingg and Axel Zwingenberger, La Roquebrou (Southern France)
with fellow musicians from all over the world, including Jean Paul Amaroux,
Martijn Schok, Ricky Nye, Christian Bleiming, Errol Dixon, Stefano Franco
und Greta Holtrop, and last but not least Chicago and his meeting with
US performer Karen Caroll with whom we did start 2004 in a concert.
At the occasion of this year's concert at Burg Perchtoldsdorf it was decided
this year to release the 2002 recordings with Anke Lamprecht and the Timeless
choir and the 2003 recordings with Karen Caroll on CD.
This year, Michael is celebrating his 25th anniversary in stage. Festivals
in Hamburg (with Axel Zwingenberger, Joe Bohnsack, Wince Weber) as well
as his visit to the U.S. and his meeting with The Comets in Las Vegas
(50 Years of Rock`n Roll at the Vienna Konzerthaus on Nov. 12th) and Fats
Domino in New Orleans, gave Michael more inspiration and motivation for
the next Concerts in Vienna with Sweet System (F), Axel Zwingenberger,
Christian Dozzler and Christoph Steinbach and for the next year.
Nowadays, Michael plays solo or with his band and he loves playing with
blues musicians from all over the world like Big Jay McNeely, Bill Haley's
Original Comets,Vera Love, Mojo Blues Band, Axel Zwingenberger, Silvan
Zingg, Jean Paul Amaroux, Martijn Schock or Jean Pierre Bertrand, just
to mention a few. Very interesting meetings at concerts with Memphis Slim,
Sammy Price, Blind John Davis, Big Joe Turner or Linda Hopkins unfortunately
never did end in a musical-cooperation apart from having a wonderful session
with Champion Jack Dupree at Jazzland, Vienna.
We
all are looking forward to meet you at our next concerts to celebrate
together Michael`s 25th anniversary on stage this year.
Michael's website is www.pewnyboogie.at.
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Michael
Pewny |
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Greta
Holtrop (vocals, Holland)
With her versatile vocal talent and charismatic stage presence, the Dutch
singer Greta Holtrop forms the perfect partner for Martijn Schoks swinging
piano style. Her expressive voice, full of sincerity and emotion, seduces
the ear with sultry interpretations of sensitive blues songs, turning
just as easily to lively, swinging boogies. Boogie woogie great, Big Joe
Duskin, has described her vocal tone as somewhere between Billie Holiday
and Dina Washington.
Together with Martijn Schok, Greta performed during Boogie Woogie and
Blues Festivals in the USA, Switzerland, France, Belgium and England.
Greta also sang with other top boogie woogie players such as Bob Seeley
(USA), Charlie Booty (USA), Jean-Paul Amouroux (F), Axel Zwingenberger
(D), Ricky Nye (USA), Little Willie Littlefield (USA), Silvan Zingg (CH),
Stefano Franco (It) and Mark Braun (USA).
Greta is vocalist and presenter of the successful theatre show, The Grand
Piano Boogie Train with pianists Martijn Schok, Jaap Dekker and Jeroen
Sweers.
Greta performed many times for national television in Holland as well
as regional TV stations in the USA. For the year 2006, performances are
scheduled during the Jazzfestival in Denmark. |
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Greta
Holtrop
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Rinus
Groeneveld (saxophone, Holland)
The Amsterdam based Rinus Groeneveld is without doubt one of Hollands
best tenor saxophone players. With his recognizable sound he blows a unique
mix of jazz, blues, boogie woogie and rhythm and blues.
Rinus played all over the world with many jazz and blues musicians, such
as Mose Mose Allison, Big Jay McNeeley, Rosa King and Hans Dulfer. Rinus
has been part of the Martijn Schok Boogie & Blues Band since 1994
and was the recording engineer of the bands latest CD "Doing The
Boogie Woogie", in his own recording studios in Amsterdam. |
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Rinus
Groeneveld |
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Guitar
Ray (guitar/vocals, Holland)
“Guitar Ray has got the GOODS”, Duke Robillard writes in his
liner notes for the cd Guitar Ray-‘ Live at the Nix’, to be
released on october 24th, 2004 on Firesweep Records. “Rockin', stompin'
and swinging guitar music that sets his audience on its heels”, Robillard
continues.
There’s no better way to describe the Red Hot Roots & Blues played
by dutch guitarist/singer Raymond Nijenhuis, better known as ‘Guitar
Ray’.
Both with his band ‘The Rhythm Dukes’ consisting of rock solid
players Hans Molenaar (drums) and Jaap van der Sluijs (bass/vocals) and
with various other groups he has appeared at many festivals and club gigs
over the past few years and will be for many more years to come!
Ray
toured and gigged all over West-Europe with many well known performing artists
like Sax Gordon(USA), Teddy Edwards(USA) Mason Casey(USA), Madeline Bell(USA),
Enrico Crivellaro (I) and the legendary Charlie McCoy (USA) to name but
a few.
Highlights include a solo performance at Muriel Anderson’s “All
Star Guitar Night” in Los Angeles(1999).Also in ’99 he was invited
by Fender Musical Instruments to play a show at their plant in Ensenada,
Mexico with his wife, singer Debby Knol.
Ray recorded cds with Jazz pianist Hod ’O’Brien (USA), New Thundering
Swingmates, and Swingmatism. |
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Guitar
Ray |
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Sergei
Shapko (upright bass, Holland)
Bass player Sergei Shapko from Amsterdam plays bass in the real traditional
style. With his self built upright bass, he knows exactly how to give
the right groove to the music. Sergei is a specialist in the slapping
bass style.
Together with drummer Maarten Kruijswijk, Sergei takes care of the swinging
drive of the Internationale Boogie Woogie Festival Holland.
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Sergei
Shapko |
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Maarten
Kruijswijk (drums, Holland)
In the life of the Amsterdam based drummer Maarten Kruijswijk
(1964) the groove is the central thing. After completing his education
at the Dutch Conservatory in 1989, he peformed for three years in the
salsa band Fruta Bomba. After that he played, and still does, with tenorsaxophone
player Rinus Groeneveld and played with Big Jay McNeely.
Maarten's jazz preference is Swing & Boogie. Combining these very
swinging styles with his experience with Latin rhythms results in a natural
basis for playing groovy New Orleans beats.
Because of his work as a drummer at the Dutch Acedemy for Dancing, he
is always inspired to play music in a way that can be well danced on.
"Rhythms exist to be danced on and to have fun!".
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Maarten
Kruijswijk |
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Swing
Club Boogie World (dans, Holland)
Besides a musical style, Boogie Woogie is a swinging dance style.
The showteam of Swing Club Boogie World belongs the the world top of dancing.
The current two Dutch Champions are a member of this succesful showteam..
March 10th 2007, you can enjoy the spectacular dance show of Swing Club
Boogie World...! |
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Showteam van Swing Club Boogie World |
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