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Albert Ammons
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Albert Ammons was an American pianist and one of the great names of boogie-woogie, a blues style that was popular from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s. He was born in 1907 in Chicago to two pianists. His interest in the style came from his friendship with Meade Lux Lewis and from his father's interest. Together they practised at home on the piano. In the 1920s he worked as a taxi driver, like Lewis, and the two played at parties. In 1934 he started his own band at Club DeLisa.
Music and breakthrough
In 1936 he recorded with Albert Ammons's Rhythm Kings for Decca. Their version of Swanee River Boogie became a million-seller, and Boogie Woogie Stomp from the same year is regarded as the first boogie based on twelve bars, which was imitated by many jazz bands. He then went to New York and played with Pete Johnson at Café Society. On 23 December 1938 he appeared with Johnson and Lewis at Carnegie Hall, in John Hammond's concert From Spirituals to Swing, which fuelled the boogie-woogie craze. Two weeks later Alfred Lion, who had been there, recorded nine solos by him and began Blue Note Records with them.
Influence
His style revolves around a firm rhythm in the left hand and a playful right hand. In 1941 his music was used for a short animated film, Boogie-Doodle. He died in 1949. His son Gene Ammons became a tenor saxophonist.
Listening
Discography
Studio albums
- 19418 to the Bar (Two Piano Boogie Woogie for Dancing)
- 1949Boogie Woogie Piano
- 1983Boogie Woogie Classics
- 1992Master of Boogie
- 1992The First Day
- 2004The Boogie Woogie Trio, Volumes 1 & 2
In School of Rock
The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.
- After Hours: Session 2NL Reader