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A Brief History: Boogie-Woogie was a predecessor to Rock’n’Roll, and is part of the large family of swing-dances. The swing dances have roots in music bars found in the US-Afro-American ghettos of the 1920’s. Boogie-Woogie became very popular during the late 30’s. The rise came from a concerted effort of the famous Mead Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, et.al., in New-York. Boogie-Woogie fever infected all America. Big bands playing in the large dance halls started to play Boogie-Woogie musical arrangements. As most always happens, when music changes a dance soon follows suit. The engine like rhythm of Boogie music fulfilled the dreams of youth looking for something new and revolutionary. The Afro-American dancer, Bill Robinson, was a strong originating force that influenced the new Boogie-Woogie style by inventing many new figures and moves. The modern competitive version of Boogie-Woogie was not invented in America – but was “created” in Europe during the 1980’s by German, Italian, French and Swiss dancers. The new version was based on old American moves from the 40’s and 50’s, but with a European accent and influence. Europeans were seeking a new dance as an alternative to the very strict Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll. They wanted to go back to that ‘good old time’ when men wore suits and ladies wore swaying dresses with petticoats, and rebellion of youth was in the air. The ideology became a mixture of elegance, and rebellion expressed in that Boogie-Woogie beat. Today, there are less of the old style fashions, but more of the new dancing.
Elements of the fast (around 200 beats/minute) boogie music, like the easy flowing piano melody and the strong repeating bass of the left hand, are reflected in the Boogie-Woogie dance style. The frantic fast foot work that is isolated from the upper body, and fast figures, like whips, are the defining characteristics of the dance. The musical spectrum was set rather wide, to include piano boogie, Rhythm and Blues, Jumpin’ Jive, early Rock’n’Roll and the sounds of the big band. Overlaps and differences were adapted to the very special groove from each musical style found in their performance. Further spontaneous interpretation of the structure, melody and phrasing of the music, are common when dancing. When the music is slower (around 120 beats per minute) dancers just don’t dance slow. Boogie-Woogie steps, leads, follows, and figures are adapted to the newer dynamics of the slower music and sprinkled with a pinch of passion.
The basic Boogie-Woogie rules are spelled out by the WRRC (World R’n’R Confederation).
Boogie-Woogie is a couple dance and is generally performed in a slot. The basic step is an elastic, powerful step, but danced rather flat (not jumped). It’s a six-count step, mostly danced as a “triple step – triple step – step – step” structure. To visually increase the speed the two steps, “step – step,” they are often danced in a forward leaning manner, instead of a rock step. Boogie music is fundamental to the dance. Couples typically choose and interpret their own music. The musical interpretation and dancing done by couples shall appear to be spontaneous. A dominate lack of spontaneous interpretation in Boogie-Woogie dancing is not desirable. All elements of the dance shall be lead. Choreographed parts and long open elements are not allowed. Acrobatics (air steps) shall be completely within the flow of music, and are judged as dance figures. Competition music for the fast round is between 192 – 208 beats/minute, and 112 – 128 beats/minute for the finals only slow round.
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