Axel Zwingenberger
Encyclopedia
Axel Zwingenberger is a blues
and boogie-woogie
pianist
, and songwriter
. He is considered one of the finest boogie-woogie music masters in the world.
, Meade "Lux" Lewis, and Pete Johnson
. He soon joined piano playing partners Hans-Georg Moeller, Vince Weber and Martin Pyrker, and word about the four friends began to spread. In 1974, he played at the First International Blues-and-Boogie Woogie Festival of the West German Radio Station in Cologne which was followed by Hans Maitner's annual festival Stars of Boogie Woogie in Vienna
.
By 1975, Zwingenberger received his first recording contract, issuing such solo recordings as Boogie Woogie Breakdown, Power House Boogie, and Boogie Woogie Live, as well as lending his talents to recordings by such artists as Lionel Hampton
, Jay McShann
, Big Joe Turner
, Lloyd Glenn
, Joe Newman
, Sippie Wallace
, Mama Yancey, Champion Jack Dupree
, Sammy Price
, Ray Bryant
, Charlie Watts
, Bill Wyman
, Vince Weber
, and the Mojo Blues Band, among others. In addition to issuing other solo recordings, Zwingenberger continues to tour all over the world. He has also authored several publications about blues/boogie-woogie music and musicians as well as Boogie Woogie: Piano Solo, a book of 12 of his compositions, exactly transcribed.
Being a railfan since early childhood, he is also known for his photographs of steam locomotives, including some taken from within the machinery itself. Zwingenberger established a non-profit foundation within the German Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments which donates for the preservation of monuments on rails, including the world's fastest operational steam locomotive, the German DR 18 201
.
In spring 2009, coordinated by young pianist Ben Waters from the UK, Zwingenberger renewed his relationship with Charlie Watts
, drummer of The Rolling Stones
. Together with bassist Dave Green, they played joint concerts labeled as 'The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie'.
Zwingenberger also appeared on Just For A Thrill by Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
and boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie
Boogie-woogie has the following meanings:*Boogie-woogie, a piano-based music style*Boogie-woogie , a swing dance or a dance that imitates the rock-n-roll dance of the 1950s*"Boogie Woogie" , a song by EuroGroove and Dannii Minogue...
pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is considered one of the finest boogie-woogie music masters in the world.
Biography
Zwingenberger was born in Hamburg, Germany, and enjoyed eleven years of conventional piano training. In 1973 he listened to recordings of boogie-woogie pianists Albert AmmonsAlbert Ammons
Albert Ammons was an American pianist. Ammons was a player of boogie-woogie, a bluesy jazz style popular from the late 1930s into the mid 1940s.-Life and career:...
, Meade "Lux" Lewis, and Pete Johnson
Pete Johnson
Pete Johnson was an American boogie-woogie and jazz pianist.Journalist Tony Russell stated in his book The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray, that "Johnson shared with the other members of the 'Boogie Woogie Trio' the technical virtuosity and melodic fertility that can make this the most...
. He soon joined piano playing partners Hans-Georg Moeller, Vince Weber and Martin Pyrker, and word about the four friends began to spread. In 1974, he played at the First International Blues-and-Boogie Woogie Festival of the West German Radio Station in Cologne which was followed by Hans Maitner's annual festival Stars of Boogie Woogie in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
.
By 1975, Zwingenberger received his first recording contract, issuing such solo recordings as Boogie Woogie Breakdown, Power House Boogie, and Boogie Woogie Live, as well as lending his talents to recordings by such artists as Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
, Jay McShann
Jay McShann
Jay McShann was an American Grammy Award-nominated jump blues, mainstream jazz, and swing bandleader, pianist and singer....
, Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner
Big Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and...
, Lloyd Glenn
Lloyd Glenn
Lloyd Glenn was an American R&B pianist, bandleader and arranger, who was a pioneer of the "West Coast" blues style.-Career:...
, Joe Newman
Joe Newman (trumpeter)
Joseph Dwight Newman was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator, best known for his time with Count Basie....
, Sippie Wallace
Sippie Wallace
Sippie Wallace was an American singer-songwriter. Her early career in local tent shows gained her the billing "The Texas Nightingale". Between 1923 and 1927, she recorded over 40 songs for Okeh Records, many written by herself or her brothers, George and Hersal Thomas...
, Mama Yancey, Champion Jack Dupree
Champion Jack Dupree
William Thomas Dupree, best known as Champion Jack Dupree, was an American blues pianist. His birth date is disputed, given as July 4, July 10, and July 23, in the years 1908, 1909, or 1910. He died on January 21, 1992.-Biography:...
, Sammy Price
Sammy Price
Sammy Price was an American jazz, boogie-woogie and jump blues pianist and bandleader. He was born Samuel Blythe Price, in Honey Grove, Texas, United States. Price was most noteworthy for his work on Decca Records with his own band, known as the Texas Bluesicians, that included fellow musicians...
, Ray Bryant
Ray Bryant
Raphael Homer "Ray" Bryant was an American Jazz pianist and composer.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ray Bryant began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School...
, Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:...
, Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
, Vince Weber
Vince Weber
Vince Weber is a German blues and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Weber started his first piano lessons, when he was aged ten in 1963...
, and the Mojo Blues Band, among others. In addition to issuing other solo recordings, Zwingenberger continues to tour all over the world. He has also authored several publications about blues/boogie-woogie music and musicians as well as Boogie Woogie: Piano Solo, a book of 12 of his compositions, exactly transcribed.
Being a railfan since early childhood, he is also known for his photographs of steam locomotives, including some taken from within the machinery itself. Zwingenberger established a non-profit foundation within the German Foundation for the Protection of Historical Monuments which donates for the preservation of monuments on rails, including the world's fastest operational steam locomotive, the German DR 18 201
DR 18 201
The German express locomotive, number 18 201 of the Deutsche Reichsbahn in East Germany, appeared in 1960-61 at Meiningen repair shop as a conversion of the Henschel-Wegmann train locomotive 61 002, the tender from 44 468 and parts of H 45 024 and Class 41...
.
In spring 2009, coordinated by young pianist Ben Waters from the UK, Zwingenberger renewed his relationship with Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:...
, drummer of The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
. Together with bassist Dave Green, they played joint concerts labeled as 'The ABC&D of Boogie Woogie'.
Selective discography
| Year | Title | Solo albums | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Boogie Back To New York City | solo - live | Vagabond |
| 1992 | Boogie Woogie Classics | solo | Polygram Int'l |
| 1985 | Boogie Woogie live | solo - all original compositions by A.Z. | Vagabond |
| 1980 | Power House Boogie | solo | Vagabond |
| 1978 | Boogie Woogie Breakdown | solo | Telefunken |
| Year | Title | Combinations | Label |
| 2010 | The Magic of Boogie Woogie | w/ Charlie Watts Charlie Watts Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:... , dr & Dave Green, b |
Vagabond |
| 2009 | Lady sings the Boogie Woogie | w/ Lila Ammons Lila Ammons Lila Ammons is a blues and jazz vocalist. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ammons is the granddaughter of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons and the niece of tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons.... , voc |
Vagabond |
| 2008 | Saxy Boogie Woogie | w/ Big Jay McNeely Big Jay McNeely Big Jay McNeely is an American rhythm and blues saxophonist.-Biography:... , sax & The Bad Boys |
Vagabond |
| 2004 | Groovology | w/ Gottfried Boettger, p | Vagabond |
| 1999 | Brothers in Boogie | w/ Torsten Zwingenberger, dr | Vagabond |
| 1999 | The Boogiemeisters | w/ Vince Weber Vince Weber Vince Weber is a German blues and boogie-woogie pianist.-Biography:Weber started his first piano lessons, when he was aged ten in 1963... , p + voc |
Vagabond |
| 1996 | Swing the Boogie! | w/ Jay McShann Jay McShann Jay McShann was an American Grammy Award-nominated jump blues, mainstream jazz, and swing bandleader, pianist and singer.... , p + voc |
Vagabond |
| 1982 | The Boogie Woogie Album | w/ Lionel Hampton Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy... Orchestra |
Vagabond |
| 1978 | Let's Boogie Woogie All Night Long | w/ Big Joe Turner Big Joe Turner Big Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and... , voc - German Record Award 1979 |
Vagabond |
| 1976 | Boogie Woogie Session '76 live in Vienna | w/ Hans-Georg Möller, Martin Pyrker & Torsten Zwingenberger | EMI |
| Year | Title | Axel Zwingenberger & The Friends Of Boogie Woogie - Series | Label |
| 2000 | Vol. 10: Kansas City Boogie Jam | w/ Big Joe Duskin Big Joe Duskin Big Joe Duskin was an American blues and boogie-woogie pianist. He is best known for his debut album, Cincinnati Stomp , and the tracks "Well, Well Baby" and "I Met a Girl Named Martha".-Biography:... , voc, Sammy Price Sammy Price Sammy Price was an American jazz, boogie-woogie and jump blues pianist and bandleader. He was born Samuel Blythe Price, in Honey Grove, Texas, United States. Price was most noteworthy for his work on Decca Records with his own band, known as the Texas Bluesicians, that included fellow musicians... , p, Jay McShann Jay McShann Jay McShann was an American Grammy Award-nominated jump blues, mainstream jazz, and swing bandleader, pianist and singer.... , p |
Vagabond |
| 1999 | Vol. 9: Red Hot Boogie Woogie Party | w/ Red Holloway Red Holloway James W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old... , sax & voc, Mojo Blues Band - live |
Vagabond |
| 1993 | Vol. 8: Heat It Up | w/ Red Holloway Red Holloway James W. "Red" Holloway is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Holloway started playing banjo and harmonica, switching to tenor sax when he was twelve years old... , sax & voc, Mojo Blues Band |
Vagabond |
| 1992 | Vol. 7: Champion Jack Dupree sings Blues Classics | w/ Champion Jack Dupree Champion Jack Dupree William Thomas Dupree, best known as Champion Jack Dupree, was an American blues pianist. His birth date is disputed, given as July 4, July 10, and July 23, in the years 1908, 1909, or 1910. He died on January 21, 1992.-Biography:... , voc, Mogens "Basse" Seidelin, b, Michael Strasser, dr |
Vagabond |
| 1990 | Vol. 6: On Stage with Champion Jack Dupree | w/ Champion Jack Dupree Champion Jack Dupree William Thomas Dupree, best known as Champion Jack Dupree, was an American blues pianist. His birth date is disputed, given as July 4, July 10, and July 23, in the years 1908, 1909, or 1910. He died on January 21, 1992.-Biography:... , voc & Torsten Zwingenberger, dr |
Vagabond |
| 1988 | Vol. 5: Champ's Housewarming | w/ Champion Jack Dupree Champion Jack Dupree William Thomas Dupree, best known as Champion Jack Dupree, was an American blues pianist. His birth date is disputed, given as July 4, July 10, and July 23, in the years 1908, 1909, or 1910. He died on January 21, 1992.-Biography:... , voc, Mojo Blues Band |
Vagabond |
| 1987 | Vol. 4: The Blues Of Mama Yancey | w/ Estella "Mama" Yancey, voc | Vagabond |
| 1986 | Vol. 3: An Evening with Sippie Wallace | w/ Sippie Wallace Sippie Wallace Sippie Wallace was an American singer-songwriter. Her early career in local tent shows gained her the billing "The Texas Nightingale". Between 1923 and 1927, she recorded over 40 songs for Okeh Records, many written by herself or her brothers, George and Hersal Thomas... , voc - live |
Vagabond |
| 1985 | Vol. 2: Between Hamburg & Hollywood | w/ Big Joe Turner Big Joe Turner Big Joe Turner was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to the songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him." Although he came to his greatest fame in the 1950s with his pioneering rock and roll recordings, particularly "Shake, Rattle and... , voc, Joe Newman Joe Newman Joseph F. Newman is co-founder and CEO of the American Basketball Association . He was formerly owner of the Indiana Legends, which played two seasons in the ABA. He was also CEO of Joe Newman Advertising, Inc. for twenty years, and CEO of Alliance Broadcasting Group, Inc. for seven years... , tp & voc, Lloyd Glenn Lloyd Glenn Lloyd Glenn was an American R&B pianist, bandleader and arranger, who was a pioneer of the "West Coast" blues style.-Career:... , p, Torsten Zwingenberger, dr |
Vagabond |
| 1984 | Vol. 1: Sippie Wallace | w/ Sippie Wallace Sippie Wallace Sippie Wallace was an American singer-songwriter. Her early career in local tent shows gained her the billing "The Texas Nightingale". Between 1923 and 1927, she recorded over 40 songs for Okeh Records, many written by herself or her brothers, George and Hersal Thomas... , voc |
Vagabond |
Zwingenberger also appeared on Just For A Thrill by Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings are a blues-rock band founded and led by former Rolling Stones bass guitarist Bill Wyman. Together with his lifelong musical partner Terry Taylor, The "Dirty Boys" duo produce, arrange and compose original material for the award winning band.The Rhythm Kings are known for...
Books
- Richard CookRichard CookRichard David Cook was a British jazz writer, magazine editor and former record company executive.Sometimes credited as R. D. Cook, Cook was born in Kew, Surrey and lived in west London as an adult. He was co-author, with Brian Morton, of The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings , now in its ninth...
& Brian MortonBrian MortonBrian Morton may refer to:*Brian Morton , American academic and novelist*Brian Morton , Scottish broadcaster, journalist and writer, who is most widely known as a jazz critic*Brian Morton...
: Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings, Penguin, first issue 1992, 8th 2006, ISBN 978-0-14-102327-4 - Colin LarkinColin LarkinColin Larkin is an Irish professional footballer, who plays primarily as a forward. He currently plays for Hartlepool United.-Playing career:...
: The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz, Guinness Books UK, from 1992 on, ISBN 0-85112-580-8 - Peter Silvester: The Story Of Boogie Woogie - A Left Hand Like God, Quartet Books UK, 1988, updated issue 2009, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 978-0-8108-6924-0
External links
- Axel Zwingenberger's homepage
- Interview with Axel Zwingenberger
- [ Axel Zwingenberger biography at All Music]