Queens of Boogie Woogie

Description

The legendary Queens of Boogie Woogie returns to the Soper Reese Theatre at 7:00 pm on Friday, May 13, with another unpredictable and soulful show. This year's line-up of award winning American piano stylists are Liz Pennock of Florida, Sue Palmer from San Diego and San Francisco's Wendy DeWitt. With new songs and improvisations, this concert promises to give jazz, boogie woogie and blues piano fans romping soul satisfaction.

Reserved seat tickets are now on sale for $25, $20 and $15.

Piano player/singer Liz Pennock began performing professionally as a solo artist in 1975. Pennock, who was born minus two fingers on each hand, a fact not evident from the other side of the piano, developed her own powerful ivory-tickling style. She established a reputation fierce enough to join Johnnie Johnson (Chuck Berry?s piano player), Pinetop Perkins, Bob Seeley, and legendary Big Three of boogie woogie pianists, Albert Ammons, in the Boogie Woogie Piano Hall Of Fame in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 2008. Pennock and guitarist/vocalist Paul "Dr. Blues" Shambarger teamed up 1981 touring world-wide and releasing several albums. Her song writing ranges from the romantic to the rollicking, and she complements her two fisted piano with trombone and harmonica. Pennock & Dr. Blues performed with legendary blues shouter Diamond Teeth Mary McClain from 1988 until 2000 when Mary died at age 97.

Notorious for her beehive-wearing stint with blues diva Candye Kane in the '90's, Sue Palmer has been making her mark in the last decade with her band, the Motel Swing Orchestra. She has performed with Marcia Ball, Lou Ann Barton, Kim Wilson, Hadda Brooks and Sonny Leyland. The City of San Diego has honored her by proclaiming an official Sue Palmer Day, and Palmer won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis for Best Self Produced CD and Best Blues Album. In December 2010, she won the Jim Croce Award for Excellence and Dedication to Music. Catch Sue at Boogie Woogie festivals worldwide, on the road with Candye Kane, and on her weekly radio show.

Wendy DeWitt is currently touring the US in support of a blues charting album "Getaway" and returns to Europe for a month this coming December. Her work is inspired by Otis Spann and Albert Ammons and seasoned by international festivals, work with Delmark recording artist Steve Freund and R&B legend Hank Ballard. Currently in the processing of writing her tenth album, Wendy also organizes the Queens of Boogie Woogie shows, San Francisco International Boogie Woogie Festival and the notorious Blues Piano Orgy series. Wendy teaches workshops from coast to coast and is a 2014 International Blues Challenge Finalist with duo partner Kirk Harwood, who is notorious for his seminal recording work with Norton Buffalo. DeWitt initiated the Queens of Boogie Woogie shows for friendship, inspiration and outreach among all the Queens of Boogie Woogie.

Shows have spread to Arizona, Washington, San Diego and Switzerland, bringing together a vibrant group of women committed to continuing the tradition of high energy piano started by Hadda Brooks, Camille Howard and Hazel Scott.

Sponsored by the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant.

Get tickets online at SoperReeseTheatre.com, at the Theatre Box Office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport on Fridays 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, or by phone at 707-263-0577. Tickets also available at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main, Lakeport, Monday-Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.