Benefit for Boogie Woogie Pianist Ralph DaFermo September 28, 2008

Mercury Café

Musical benefit for “Boogie Woogie” Pianist Ralph DaFermo

From Marilyn Megenity:

In 1977, I walked into my nightclub restaurant for the night shift, and a piano player I hadn’t seen before was playing. His name was George “Boogie Woogie” Daniels. George Daniels grew up playing in whore houses and at Fish-fry’s in all black communities in the South. His music was like having Count Basie, or Pinetop Perkins, or Fats Waller in your living room. I could go on and on about him, but one thing that needs to be said, is that he lived across the street from the Rossonian in Five Points in the late 1940’s and 50’s and was hired to play in the “pick-up” bands for every great jazz legend that came through town. I realized then, (and still do) that I am the luckiest woman in the world. He played three nights a week at the Mercury until he died in 1984.

George Daniels left a protégé, Ralph DaFermo. He mentored Ralph daily from 1976 until he died. When Ralph met George he was already accomplished as a Rock & Roll piano player. Ralph’s grasp and devotion of this music runs as deep and wide as the Mississippi River. He has opened for such greats as Asleep at the Wheel, Commander Cody, Papa John Creech and John Hammond. He is now the greatest living Barrel–house “Boogie Woogie” piano man in the world, a true American treasure.

Five years ago Ralph DaFermo began to loose his sight. He is now blind. Some of his fellows of Jazz, Blues and Swing will be doing a benefit for him on Sunday September 28 at 1:30 p.m. Suggested donation $20 no one will be turned away.
Ralph is back playing regularly at the Mercury Café, Friday nights at 10 p.m. in the Rose Room no cover.

Sincerely,

Marilyn

Mercury Café

Benefit for Boogie Woogie Pianist Ralph DaFermo

Sunday, September 28

1:30 p.m.

Suggested donation of $20

Mercury Café

2199 California St, Denver

303-294-9281

www.mercurycafe.com