Ragtime - A turn of the century piano style. It's most influential practitioner was Scott Joplin, an
educated musician who captured the groove that moved the masses.
Listen to the [link
url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000003QWN001005/0/104-3745617-0647126]Maple Leaf
Rag[/link] by Scott Joplin.
Stride - Born in the bars and brothels of New Orleans, Kansas City, and St Louis, this pianos style is
the ultimate on-man-band. A good stride player will make you think two are playing.
Listen to
Jellyroll Morton play stride style on [link
url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000003HLL001002/0/104-3745617-0647126]Mr. Jelly
Lord[/link].
Boogie Woogie - This raucous style usually features the left hand of the player. The intricate bass
lines created created a percussive pulse to the music.
Groove on Albert Ammons [link
url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/clipserve/B000003DGJ001001/0/104-3745617-0647126]Boogie Woogie
Stomp[/link].
Chicago Style - When you hear a Blues band with a piano, this probably will be the style that is played. Otis Span's piano work with Muddy Waters is the standard. Listen to [link url=http://hurl.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=033709301090006550&cid=600005]I'm Leaving You[/link].
West Coast - The smoother Blues music came from America's west coast. The master of this style was Charles Brown. His slick vocals and easy hand put the piano player in front of the band. Hear [link url=http://hurl.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=013512101070006900&cid=600005]Trouble Blues[/link]
New Orleans - The Crescent City has always held piano players in high esteem. They style that evolved in this melting pot was extremely rhythmic with more of a Caribbean influence than other styles. Hear James Booker play [link url=http://hurl.content.loudeye.com/scripts/hurl.exe?clipid=005136701120006900&cid=600005]Tico Tico[/link].
As you can hear, Piano Blues covers a wide area. The combination of a simple Blues chord progression and the imagination of a piano player leave possibilities wide open. The new generation of players, Honey Piazza, Marcia Ball, Jon Cleary, Henry Butler, and Davell Crawford carry on the innovative tradition that the Blues afford the piano. the next time you see a live Blues band with a piano player, go shake their hand and say thanks!
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