I remember Winnie Atwell all those years ago in the 1950s. She was a GENTLE and PLEASANT Soul. Such a tragedy when she passed away. God Rest your dear soul Winnie and may His perpetual light shine on you. Thank you for the wonderful memories of my childhood.
My God, that should be called "Ten Finger Boogie". I've never heard of Winifred until I watched her "Black and White Rag" only a couple days ago. Not only could she play so wonderful, but I can tell she enjoyed every minute of it, playing like that. It really doesn't matter how many records you sell. But when you play from the heart like her, then you are truly a real Musician.
I have such lovely memories of this marvellous lady starring on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Her music and her smile were so thrilling as I was six or seven years old,but I couldn't wait to see her. She just made me feel so happy. God Bless her soul
My family took me to see her at the Sydney Opera House many years ago and from memory she settled in Sydney and lived out the rest of her life in Australia.
When I was young I loved Winnie's TV programme, especially when she played her 'other' piano. Everybody knew what that meant we were in for a boogy woogy treat. She allegedly composed this as a challenge to other piano players to see if they could play it as fast. I have seen some attempt it, but they don't get anywhere near. She was a great entertainer and something of a philanthropist.
True story is she composed this (before becoming famous) when she was a pianist who entertained soldiers at an army base at Piarco during WW2. Obviously her act at that time featured a lot of classical music so some of the troops made a bet with her that she couldn't play boogie woogie (very popular at the time). She went home and returned the next day with this number-it was originally entitled "Piarco Boogie"-the name change came after she became famous!
Ms Atwell spent considerable tour time in Australia where I saw her several times. She was extremely talented (to a child's eyes) and unfailingly the complete lady. She was dearly loved by my family for her talent and for her showmanship, and for her delight in what she did.
She also spent her final years living in Sydney Australia and is buried here. Similar story with Spike Milligan’s Mum who lived Woy Woy, New South Wales!
I was a music student in boarding school in the 60s. We were permitted to see Winifred perform in Hamilton Vic on one night. My best memory of the 60s.
Just happened to pop radio 2 on, tbe otber night, and this fantastic piece of music, had me dancing round the kitchen! Googled it, and found out this wonderful lady's name...just WOW!!
so much respect and love for this amazing woman, just look at how she plays so naturally and at such ease she is inspiration to us all! Can't imagine what is must feel like to witness that in person!!
No one then played like Winnie..she was what we now term a 'national treasure'. But,like so many gifted people,she left us all too soon. Incidentally,did anyone spot the blond sitting on the settee? lt was Diana Dors, Britains answer to Munro,and just breaking into films with help from the guy who appears behind her..this being Frank Randle,comedian,star of the film and her mentor. But Winnie was cameoed as a much needed boost in several such B films then. At least we can be grateful for that !
I saw her many times on TV in the UK in the 1950s. A brilliantly natural talent. She recorded Grieg's Piano Concerto as well as a number of classical pieces by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Debussy etc.
Effortless talent. Thats Winifred Atwell. I love her. She played with great emotion in her Classica and such fun in her boogies etc. Just naturally gifted . Brilliant. Thanks.
The people who have talents like this are no longer in the spotlight as they were back then. There are still people who play like this, but they are shoved to the side in favour of simpler things.
Thats just great. Never seen winifred before, but listened to her for years on pot black and my parents 78`s. We had cross hands boogie.....til i sat on it....oh dear, they weren`t pleased. Ms Atwell is an inspiration. Thanks for posting this.
My Grandmother praised Winifred for her always playing with enjoyment from the heart. Whether it was classical or modern. One of the greatest pianist in 20th century.
I've only been aware of this woman's existence for two days now, but I'm already in love! It's great to see someone play such joyful music, and with such a big smile on her face while doing so. Music can't get any purer.
Ended up here through a mention of Winnie on Steptoe & Son. Wow! glad I did!! Check out that fat bassline! Will deffinately be checking Her out more :D
Je suis en train de travailler le mème morceaux mais je pleure car je n’arriverai jamais à ce niveau 😭😭😭😢 « n’est pas Winifred qui veut!!!! » Grand respect à vous Madame Atwell!!!!! Ça a l’air tellement facile quand elle fait danser ses doigts sur le clavier……. Cette pianiste était un génie 🧞♂️ 👍
Thanks again for loading this. My husband Harold is going to an Atwell Family reunion before long and they are gonna try to figure out how close his family and Winnie's family might be..She's my all time favorite boogie woogie piano player. ~Joan HOllis Atwell~ Louisiana Bayou, USA
Winnie is either my Great-Great-Great Aunt or my Great-Great Grandma. I can't remember. My Grandmothers name is Grace Atwell and she has three sons named William, Robert, and Phillip. Trust me on this one.
when you are sad , just play this loud ,and it will make you feel good just like the sun is out and you feel happy and good , enjoy your life as you only have one go at it so enjoy life love and peace to all 3/12/20 :)
this is footage from a doris day film i think...i guess it doesnt matter which set of ivorys she plays she will always reign supreme in the rag time genre
Una Winifred Atwell was born on February 27, 1914 in Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago. She and her parents lived in Jubilee Street. Her family owned a pharmacy, and she trained as a pharmacist, and was expected to join the family business. Winifred, however, had played the piano from a young age, and achieved considerable popularity locally. Atwell left Trinidad in the early 1940s and travelled to the United States to study with Alexander Borovsky and, in 1946, moved to London, where she had gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music. Atwell often returned to her native Trinidad, and on one occasion she bought a house in Saint Augustine, a home she adored and later renamed Winvilla and which was later turned into the Pan Pipers Music School by one of her students, Louise McIntosh. Following an electrical fire that destroyed her home, she suffered a heart attack and died on February 28, 1983 at the age 69.
I remember Winnie Atwell all those years ago in the 1950s. She was a GENTLE and PLEASANT Soul. Such a tragedy when she passed away. God Rest your dear soul Winnie and may His perpetual light shine on you. Thank you for the wonderful memories of my childhood.
Thank you, Sir Elton John for mentioning her as an influence in your biography. What a trully talented human being she was.
She had a grin on her face the entire time, and I don't blame her one bit! That looks fun, being able to play like that!
My God, that should be called "Ten Finger Boogie". I've never heard of Winifred until I watched her "Black and White Rag" only a couple days ago. Not only could she play so wonderful, but I can tell she enjoyed every minute of it, playing like that. It really doesn't matter how many records you sell. But when you play from the heart like her, then you are truly a real Musician.
she was a true gem and a big influence on Teddy Boy culture and British R'n'R, even though she never gets the credit.
What a great player and that lovely smile . R.I.P Winnie we all love you 😊
I have such lovely memories of this marvellous lady starring on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Her music and her smile were so thrilling as I was six or seven years old,but I couldn't wait to see her. She just made me feel so happy. God Bless her soul
My family took me to see her at the Sydney Opera House many years ago and from memory she settled in Sydney and lived out the rest of her life in Australia.
KathrynLiz1 where can I find the Piano sheet, I've searched on the Internet but can't find it
Winnie was one of Elton's Idols when he was growing up in England
A very gracious lady, with talent far beyond the recognition she received.
When I was young I loved Winnie's TV programme, especially when she played her 'other' piano. Everybody knew what that meant we were in for a boogy woogy treat. She allegedly composed this as a challenge to other piano players to see if they could play it as fast. I have seen some attempt it, but they don't get anywhere near. She was a great entertainer and something of a philanthropist.
True story is she composed this (before becoming famous) when she was a pianist who entertained soldiers at an army base at Piarco during WW2. Obviously her act at that time featured a lot of classical music so some of the troops made a bet with her that she couldn't play boogie woogie (very popular at the time). She went home and returned the next day with this number-it was originally entitled "Piarco Boogie"-the name change came after she became famous!
Ms Atwell spent considerable tour time in Australia where I saw her several times. She was extremely talented (to a child's eyes) and unfailingly the complete lady. She was dearly loved by my family for her talent and for her showmanship, and for her delight in what she did.
She also spent her final years living in Sydney Australia and is buried here. Similar story with Spike Milligan’s Mum who lived Woy Woy, New South Wales!
@@julieross6673 As an Australian.
I was a music student in boarding school in the 60s. We were permitted to see Winifred perform in Hamilton Vic on one night. My best memory of the 60s.
Just happened to pop radio 2 on, tbe otber night, and this fantastic piece of music, had me dancing round the kitchen! Googled it, and found out this wonderful lady's name...just WOW!!
so much respect and love for this amazing woman, just look at how she plays so naturally and at such ease she is inspiration to us all! Can't imagine what is must feel like to witness that in person!!
great video. winnie was a great pianist.
keith emerson loved her music!
rest in peace, both of them.
Wow. Just happened across this and never even heard of her before. Amazing!
No one then played like Winnie..she was what we now term a 'national treasure'. But,like so many gifted people,she left us all too soon. Incidentally,did anyone spot the blond sitting on the settee? lt was Diana Dors, Britains answer to Munro,and just breaking into films with help from the guy who appears behind her..this being Frank Randle,comedian,star of the film and her mentor. But Winnie was cameoed as a much needed boost in several such B films then. At least we can be grateful for that !
Wow. That's so good, I'm on my third dose in 6 minutes! Love the dress! The 50s!
I saw her many times on TV in the UK in the 1950s. A brilliantly natural talent. She recorded Grieg's Piano Concerto as well as a number of classical pieces by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Debussy etc.
Wow, thank you so much for posting, she's incredible!
Effortless talent. Thats Winifred Atwell. I love her. She played with great emotion in her Classica and such fun in her boogies etc. Just naturally gifted . Brilliant. Thanks.
they say People from another era were more talented, now i see that its true. Atwell was genius!!!
The people who have talents like this are no longer in the spotlight as they were back then. There are still people who play like this, but they are shoved to the side in favour of simpler things.
Trinidad’s finest ever pianist 🇹🇹❤️
you cheered a lot of people up in those early years after the war
Thats just great. Never seen winifred before, but listened to her for years on pot black and my parents 78`s. We had cross hands boogie.....til i sat on it....oh dear, they weren`t pleased. Ms Atwell is an inspiration. Thanks for posting this.
My Grandmother praised Winifred for her always playing with enjoyment from the heart. Whether it was classical or modern. One of the greatest pianist in 20th century.
Truly and spectacularly sensational! The skill is awesome. Mesmerising to watch.
Yes. I remember her from my childhood too. Thanks for sharing this. Takes me back to happy days.
I used to go to Tunapuna (Trinidad), where she was from and everyone always talked about her and that remarkable talent she had.
This woman is amazing! I love Winifred Atwell, she is a legend.
Super first rock and roll born I listened exactly very well version in guitar by safic aisha very well thanks
Fantastic, much more Rock and Roll that other things I have seen her do
Too bad they don't put more talented people like Winfred Atwell in today's movies. Such talent should not be lost, but preserved.
That left hand doin' it's own thing. Amazing!
What an amazing talent she was. Love this!
Outstanding historical she pianist ever, first class woman. Merci beaucoup from Paris France 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Born in Tunapuna, Trinidad & Tobago...27 of February 1914!!
She was also an accomplished classical concert pianist, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.
I would have loved to meet this incredible lady she is such a technician on the piano!
I have loved winnies playing. Surprised to find out that she was classicaly trained, although given her expertise, I am not in the least surprised.
Makes it look so easy. What a talent. Along with Mrs. Mills & Russ Conway Gr8 pianists all
I've only been aware of this woman's existence for two days now, but I'm already in love! It's great to see someone play such joyful music, and with such a big smile on her face while doing so. Music can't get any purer.
I too have a relationship with Winnie. Once, when I was very young, her cat came down our entry!!
Oh the fifties! haha great performance, thanks for sharing!
Ended up here through a mention of Winnie on Steptoe & Son. Wow! glad I did!!
Check out that fat bassline!
Will deffinately be checking Her out more :D
Incredible stuff.. very fast. I love it!!!
:-) she looks like she's having as much fun as the audience
She was amazing pianist even my grandad liked her
.................MAY GOD BLESS YOU WINNIE..............REST PEACEFULLY...............
Blimey. What playing. All the octaves in the right are one thing but the sheer speed in the left hand is something else altogether. Bravo Winifred.
She never seemed to stop smiling. I remember her TV appearances very well. Always a treat to listen to. God Bless Her Memory.
LOL, I like the guy playing air piano at 0.52.
Je suis en train de travailler le mème morceaux mais je pleure car je n’arriverai jamais à ce niveau 😭😭😭😢 « n’est pas Winifred qui veut!!!! » Grand respect à vous Madame Atwell!!!!! Ça a l’air tellement facile quand elle fait danser ses doigts sur le clavier……. Cette pianiste était un génie 🧞♂️ 👍
Wonderful. Just wonderful
Thanks again for loading this. My husband Harold is going to an Atwell Family reunion before long and they are gonna try to figure out how close his family and Winnie's family might be..She's my all time favorite boogie woogie piano player.
~Joan HOllis Atwell~ Louisiana Bayou, USA
Look at those fingers fly!
Winifred Atwell is a distant cousin of mine!
Really. Could i get your contact details
It is not commonly known that she was a very accomplished concert pianist, as well as the mistress of boogiewoogie.... :-)
KathrynLiz1 where can I find the Piano sheet, I've searched on the Internet but can't find it
No surprise with rhythm, strength and agility like that!
Trinidad and Tobago Small Islands Great People
wow!! She plays really amazing!!!
Thanks for introducing me to her Reg.
Amazing....
Incredible, such skill.
Thats my great great great grandmother
she is veryn greatt
i love her
The star of the movie is Frank Randle, Dors was just scenery.
But you are right when you say this was the only part worth watching.
yeah thats crazy, she was my grandmother's cousin. small world huh
Wow! Awesome!!
Winnie is either my Great-Great-Great Aunt or my Great-Great Grandma. I can't remember. My Grandmothers name is Grace Atwell and she has three sons named William, Robert, and Phillip. Trust me on this one.
awesome!!
Amzing
good friend of Aurther Rackman as well,...
Wow!
WOW>!!!!!!!! bless you Winifred... RIP .......DVD:
terrific
awesome....
First female artist of colour to get a UK number one. A billion times better than that boogie woogie bloke who keeps invading my feed!!!
I LOVE YOU WINIFRED
That is absolutely correct!
Jeeze - that left hand !!!!
A left hand like a God!
It is from a Diana Dors movie called "It's A Grand Life"-the only part worth watching!
. . . far beyond . . . !!!!
Amazing!!!
What a legend
when you are sad , just play this loud ,and it will make you feel good just like the sun is out and you feel happy and good , enjoy your life as you only have one go at it so enjoy life love and peace to all 3/12/20 :)
@playgirlc make that four now. who couldn't love this?
I like that.
She must have worn out the soles of a lot of shoes, because it's impossible to stop your foot tapping when she starts her magic on those keys.
this is footage from a doris day film i think...i guess it doesnt matter which set of ivorys she plays she will always reign supreme in the rag time genre
that is correct!
sick! and she was from England too even better
Una Winifred Atwell was born on February 27, 1914 in Tunapuna in Trinidad and Tobago. She and her parents lived in Jubilee Street. Her family owned a pharmacy, and she trained as a pharmacist, and was expected to join the family business. Winifred, however, had played the piano from a young age, and achieved considerable popularity locally. Atwell left Trinidad in the early 1940s and travelled to the United States to study with Alexander Borovsky and, in 1946, moved to London, where she had gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music.
Atwell often returned to her native Trinidad, and on one occasion she bought a house in Saint Augustine, a home she adored and later renamed Winvilla and which was later turned into the Pan Pipers Music School by one of her students, Louise McIntosh.
Following an electrical fire that destroyed her home, she suffered a heart attack and died on February 28, 1983 at the age 69.
On tonight show Elton said he grew up listening to her
Me too and as a result I play Boogie Woogie piano including ‘Five Finger Boogie’. 99% Perspiration and 1% Inspiration!
I haven't seen the film, but from the shots of the cast on the sofa, I'm guessing this is, "It's a Grand Life"?
Yeh-I went to her funeral. Very sad!
Wonderful
To hear her playing something classical, see "Winifred Atwell - Fantasie-Impromptu"
Magnífica.
very good
No-one could match her because she was a highly trained classical concert pianist.
on a par with the great classical composers