Some folks say that boogie woogie was invented by Troy, Alabama native Pine Top Smith when his 1928 recording “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie” became one of the first popular hits of its type. Others claim that this “fast blues” piano style was developed long before by poor African-American workers in lumber and turpentine camps of East Texas. 

What do YOU know about this history? Are the rhythms of trains involved? Can you describe the sound and players of “cathouse”? Did your mother, her mother, or her mother’s brother play barrelhouse piano for you when you were a child? Or is “boogie woogie” just some gibberish lyric you’ve heard in a ZZ Top song?

Local blues pianist Clay Swafford will answer some of our questions in an evening that will include historical reference and lore as well as vibrant, stomping performances that will focus on Alabama-born players of these styles.

The weather is glorious, our food is tasty, and our pianos are tuned! Come see and hear the ghosts of Alabama’s musical past!

Dinner service begins at 5:00 pm. Performance at 7:00 pm.