A Left Hand Like God

This is the first history of boogie-woogie piano, the influential style that became a national phenomenon from the late ’20s through the 40s. Originating in barrelhouses and entertainment spots that served the black labor force who worked in the lumber and railroad industries throughout the deep south, it could be heard later at rent parties in Chicago, buttet flats in St. Luis, and other black urban centers. When it entered the Cafe Society nightclubs of New York in the 30s, painists such as Albert Ammous, Meade Lux Lewis, and Peter Johnson became international celebrities. Until the early ’40s there was a natioal craze for boogie-woogies and almost every big band had a number with that name in the title. In the 50’s it faded quickly but not before it had influenced thythm and blues and such distincitve jazz stylists as Earl Hines. this history studies the pattern of its rise and decline, the diversity of its players-from Jimmy Yancey to Axel zwingenberger-and for the first time offers an in-depth look at the musical and social development of this enduring style. Peter J. Silvester, who holds a master’s degree fromt he Unviersity of Surrey in England, began to research boogie-woogie in 1980 after he realized that the definitive study had not yet been attempted. This book is the product of his eight years of research.