The Boogie Woogie Foundation (BoWoFo)
The Boogie Woogie Foundation is a non-profit organization established to foster research, to promote, and to increase the general public knowledge of the origin, history, and broad influence that the Boogie Woogie style of music has had. Boogie Woogie's role as the "Father of Rock and Roll," its role in jazz, as well on its influence on popular music in general is unmistakable. Early Boogie Woogie recordings are the unequivocal first recorded examples of what was later called "Rock and Roll." This fact is generally not well known. Moreover, this distinction is important because, by failing to give credit where credit is due, historians promote (often unknowingly) false historical accounts that dishonor those who made vital musical contributions in dangerous environments that literally put their lives at risk.
BOOGIE WOOGIE: Its Origin, Subsequent History, and Continuing Development -- An original article by Nonjohn (A.K.A. John Tennison)
The Mack McCormick Archive Foundation -- dedicated to preserving and publishing the vast archives of music and cultural historian, Mack McCormick
Praise and Feedback about the Content of the Boogie Woogie Foundation Website
"FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great sight of history. I thought I knew the history of Boogie Woogie until I visited this history sight. I actually didn't know 'squat'!" -- Ed "Mick" Heyden, September 5, 2006
"It [the www.bowofo.org website] is the most complete and thorough account of the history of Boogie Woogie I have ever seen!" -- Ed "Mick" Heyden, September 6, 2006
"Your article is fantastic, with a lot of details! It's hard to find good works about boogie woogie history. I have read "A left hand like God", a few articles on internet, and listen to a lot of recordings. I think it's easier to learn boogie woogie/barrelhouse technique when you know its history and its pianists' recordings." -- Sebastien "Slim" Wood, Montreal, Canada, May 22, 2006
"Some of the best information on Boogie Woogie and its origins can be found in a website established by John Tennison, also known as 'Nonjohn,' who is planning a book on the subject." -- Henry Wolff, Jr., Victoria Advocate, September 21, 2005.
Some Citations of Tennison's Boogie Woogie Research
McMaster Music Analysis Colloquium -- The Representation of Trains in Meade Lux Lewis's Honky Tonk Train -- by Melissa K. Avdeeff
How Boogie Woogie Began -- by Bob Bowman
Potential Sources of Evidence for Those Conducting Boogie Woogie Research
1. Written documentation dated at the time of events being studied
2. Oral histories given and transcribed after the fact of the events being studied
3. Photographs
4. Sheet Music and other written musical notation
5. Piano Rolls
6. Audio Recordings
7. Film and Video
For those who would like to donate or sell evidence or other materials relevant to Boogie Woogie research, please send inquiries to info@nonjohn.com
Below is a July 22, 2005 letter from John Tennison (AKA Nonjohn) to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This letter was written in support of inducting George Thomas, Hersal Thomas, Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
