Boogie-woogie is an energetic piano style that grew out of the blues in the early 20th century among African American workers and became extraordinarily popular in the 1930s and 40s. It is above all danceable, tirelessly lively, and joyful music.
The main hallmark of boogie-woogie is the characteristic left-hand part: a continuous, “rolling” repeated bass ostinato that sets a relentless pulse, while the right hand freely improvises bright blues figurations and riffs. This springy, “revved-up” rhythm made boogie-woogie ideal music for dancing. The style had an enormous influence on the later development of popular music: it was largely from its energy and rhythmic basis that rock'n'roll grew. Boogie-woogie still remains a synonym for carefree, sparkling piano virtuosity.
