The piano is probably one of the most complicated musical instruments.
It is considered to be both a string and a percussion instrument. It has a total of 88 keys (black & white) that are divided into seven octaves (seven octaves plus a minor third, from A0 to C8), it is undeniably one of the most difficult instruments to play and, of course, to master.
And to play a Boogie-woogie piece on the piano is almost an impossible task – almost.
Not to these two brilliant musicians, though. This video shows their amazing piano-playing performance back in 1988, when they tried to recreate a famous boogie-woogie piano duo back from the 1930s and 1940s.
If you haven’t seen a duo playing the piano and if you do not know boogie-woogie music, then get ready to be enthralled.
Two artists dressed alike, two pianos, a beautiful piece of music, how could you not love all this?
Fasten your seatbelts because Jools Holland and Doctor John will take you on a roller coaster ride!
The performance happened on an edition of Night Music from the year 1988. They went for a piano duet from which they got the inspiration from Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons, who are known to dress identically for their performances, and had been playing boogie-woogie duets in the ’30s and ’40s.
Night Music was an American late-night TV show that featured talented jazz and eclectic musical artists.
The show was first called Sunday Night, then they named it Michelob Presents Night Music. It aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990. This epic piano performance of Jools Holland and Doctor John was taken from Night Music #104.
Are you ready for this?
After being introduced by the host, the gentlemen went to their seats and wasted no time.
They began punching the keys on their instruments like there was no tomorrow. They knew that the expectations were high and that they were recreating a masterpiece from the past. Gladly, they did not disappoint us!
Oftentimes, a music performance starts slow and mellow, but not this one, especially not on boogie-woogie.
When they started with their piece, it looked like their fingers were possessed.
They seemed to have turned into involuntary muscles moving on their own.
Fast, accurate, and beautiful- that’s an extremely rare combination but they nailed it.
Boogie-woogie is a music genre of blues that became popular during the late 1920s. It’s composed of a lively, upbeat, fast, and energetic piece of music. It’s a type of music that will make you bop your head and stomp your feet.
And when most people say that “two heads are better than one,” well, that also applies to pianos. If a piano player makes a majestic piece of music, then imagine two music legends playing it.
It’s indeed an explosive performance, something that we have never seen before.
They’re like monsters hammering some helpless musical instrument. It’s a piece of art that only artists of their caliber could pull off.
They’re just halfway through their routine but it already feels like forever. It’s definitely boogie-woogie at it’s finest!
As they go through the final part, the two sky-rocket their audience straight to cloud-nine and shifted their gears to the fullest. But with how complex and difficult everything seemed to be, the two gentlemen were just looking relaxed while hammering the keys with so much ease.
There’s no doubt about it, they’re one of the best!
It’s nothing but an exceptional display of musical talent, no one would dare contest this. And for the last parts, Doctor John and Jools Holland went on a rampage and gave everyone watching something to remember.
If this is what I will see from a late-night show, then I am not sure I’d be able to sleep easily.
They can wake anyone up with this electrifying music!
The crowd went bananas in their seats as the two master performers end their musical treat that evening. That amusement also applies to the people who witnessed it online. The video of their performance has already been watched more than 2 million times.
Sadly, just in June of last year, Doctor John passed away, but his legacy and the gift of music that he gave everyone will surely live on, now and for eternity.
Watch the “Boogie Woogie Twins” and get ready to jive along with their lively music!
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