Una Winifred Atwell (1910-1983), as a young pianist was challenged by a US Serviceman while playing at the Servicemen’s Club in Piarco Trinidad and Tobago. He apparently said she wouldn’t be able to play a Boogie Woogie tune. She returned the next day after composing a song she called “Piarco Boogie”. It was a springboard for her career and she would later record it as “Five Finger Boogie” in 1953.
Winifred would go on to study piano in the US and then have an incredible career in the UK and Australia. While she didn’t record many more Boogie Woogie tunes she did place 15 songs on the UK charts from 1952 to 1959. Two songs went to #1 and eight more in the top 10. She was a brilliant Classical pianist but could play in any style including Ragtime. Well known for her Ragtime Medley and #1 hit song “Let’s Have Another Party“(1953). Both Elton John and Keith Emerson cite her as a major influence.
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[…] you saw the post on Winifred Atwell whose Boogie Woogie playing springboarded her to great success and importance in the UK, well, more […]
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How in the world!? Good for her in her talent. Thanks for the introduction to Winifred, Randy!
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You’re welcome, yes before Rihanna and Nicki Minaj etc I guess there were the Winifreds from the West Indies.
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Well, Una Winifred Atwell, who is completely new to me, certainly proved that US serviceman wrong – what a killer tune! Same for “Cross Hands Boogie.”
“Let’s Have a Party” sounds great as well!
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I always thought she was a posh pianist till now, never bothered to check her out. Fast hands and man, can she dance that melody all over the place. As I inferred with the comment to Max names mean a lot- way back when I heard the name ‘Winifred’ and just assumed she would be old school snooty classical/church recital style. Never judge a book by its title I guess.
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We all have to age into our names unless your name in Blaze, then you just burn out!
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Lol.
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Sorry it was right there
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No Long John Baldry? 🙂
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We ain’t layin’ that down on Rock and Roll!
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Wow, Winifred could sure work those keys! That’s so incredibly fast to be able to play. We’re pretty lucky that serviceman beaked off at her, motivating her to show him a thing or two! Thanks for the introduction to this artist and her music, Randy.
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You are most welcome Steve. She was incredible. “beaked off” haven’t heard that one in a while!
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Ha! Gotta keep the language alive! Yes, she was indeed incredible.
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Randy can I be self indulgent for a second? Whenever I hear the word “boogie” I think of this I’m about to post. As you know my family made guitars in the late 50s through the mid seventies…some guy called “Blaze Fury” (I’m going to find out more about him) did this because he liked Gower Guitars.
It’s pretty cool!
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That’s some killer stuff right there! I do have a bit of boogie guitar in part 2 posting on Saturday.
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Cool! I should have waited but I just thought about it…
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no worries Max I always appreciate your input!
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Hey Max, Blaze Fury just might be his given name. It would be sad if his real name was Cedric Scruggs or something though. It loses the entertainment magic vibe then; ’And introducing… the immortal Reg Dwight!’
(Didn’t know the family had been in the axe biz. I’ll have to look up the Gower logo- I like the odd one design wise, like the Rickenbacker one.)
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LOL…I get what you are saying. There is also a famous stripper with that name Blaze Fury… I wonder if she played guitar?
You can go here…If I may…I have a few of them.
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Music that makes you move, even in a back brace. Oops!
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Careful now!
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🎶💓🎶💓
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Thank you!
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You’re most welcome 🙏
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You could play some serious air piano with this stuff! It’s great…I really like 5 Finger boogie alot. This music I could listen to all day…
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Its catchy stuff!
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Air piano indeed!! Love this stuff!!
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Yea man me also…I love it.
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