Boogie woogie is an upbeat, high-energy genre of music commonly associated with dancing.
It was developed by African-American communities in the 1870s and rose in popularity during the 1920s. It started with a piano and from there, grew to be paired with certain instruments and eventually bands.
It is characterized by a repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm similar to the blues.
It has gained a resurgence in popularity thanks to dance competitions and artists who bring back the style as a means to harken back to the past and revive the old days. Normally it is America that is associated with the Boogie.
But a lovely young Swiss lady by the name of Ladyva seems to have a passion for the genre.
She started at the age of 14 and only 2 years later began performing with her brother, Pascal Silva.
Ladyva is inspired by the great masters of boogie woogie and it really shows. She has a sweet, laid-back countenance about her.
And in her simple, yet lovely dress and her hair swept and tied back, she lights up the room with quick successive taps of the same key on her Schimmel piano.
That familiar 1-2-3-4 bass beat fills the air and she looks to her audience with a smile and a knowing nod as if to say, “It’s on.”
Her smile gets the crowd clapping to the melody of her performance.
Ladyva seems to appreciate her fans’ clapping. She looks out towards them and gives a wink. Her hands don’t stop though and even her online viewers are in awe.
“She must have two brains, one for each hand.”
That is a heck of a compliment. Another said,
“We cherish your flying on the keyboard AND YOUR SMILE TOO !!!!!!!!!!”
The notes are clean and precise. As lightning fast as her playing is, you can hear each specific note and it is a wonder to watch and listen to.
Ladyva is “Best Boogie Woogie Pianist” of 2017 at the Boisdale Music Awards and she is living up to her title.
This Swiss pianist is playing “Boogie Woogie Stomp” in Germany.
For keen fans, they know that “Boogie Woogie Stomp” is a piece from a man named Albert Ammons. The son of pianists from Chicago, Illinois, Albet learned to play at the age of 10 mostly thanks to his father. He went on to perform with his friends and became a notable pianist of the genre.
Ammons has influenced countless pianists but sadly passed before his 43rd birthday.
The late great Albert Ammons would have loved Ladyva’s undeniable talent. He would have been so proud to see his influence extending to the new millenium and beyond. She’s doing a great job at it too.
Ladyva continues to play and her shows pack seats from people of all ages.
She simply doesn’t miss a single note. Her playing is flawless and it evokes a sense of pureness and simplicity born from the times of the Boogie Woogie. And all through out her piece, she cannot stop smiling. She loves her craft.
And somewhere out there, the great masters of the Boogie love her too.
Listen to Ladyva’s perfect piano skills in the video below
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