Winifred Atwell Plays "The Black And White Rag" (with "Twelfth Street Rag")

www.mikewoollet... Here is the "Queen Of the Keyboard" playing her biggest hit highlighting her performances from the 50's, 70's & early 80's. "The Black And White Rag" played like only Winnie could! Hope all her fans enjoy this! (As an added bonus the final clip features "Twelfth Street Rag" as well...!!)

[@Caramartelli]

I'm ashamed to admit that until today I had no idea who this talented woman was, and the fact that I'm a native of her birthplace makes it even worse. I will pass on the news of her legendary prowess to all I know. Thank you for posting this!

[@markrymanowski719]

She was discriminated against in Britain so she went to Australia where she was accepted as one of their own. She was the first to set up a hair stylist shop for black ladies in Britain.

[@MultiGeraghty]

Who remembers this as the "Pot Black" theme tune??

[@cogidubnus1953]

As a kiddie in the 50s and 60s I grew up with this talented lady's music...simply...the best...

[@davidallen508]

I saw her perform live,on two occasions,while I was living in Perth,W.A. in the 1970’s.She was a brilliant performer and a truly lovely lady.For me, the world is a sadder place since she left us.Her records of party songs still sound superlative.

[@mikewoollett]

She was just a brilliant talent sadly forgotten by mainstream these days.....mainstream could learn a lot about being a star from her....

[@MoJoPiano]

She was one of the most incredible piano players EVER! Her touch, rhythm/tempo, stride, chords, all of it, JUST PERFECT. No matter how complex the fingerwork, she did it ALL with perfection. Her playing was so clean and crisp. Just an amazing musician. Never be another like her in my book! Thanks-A-Million for posting this one. You just don't know how much I enjoyed it. Mike

[@appropriateapps6874]

I only learnt of her name and her claim to fame today. What a talent! I’m ashamed that many of my peers know nothing about her either but they will now. Rest peacefully Winifred 🙏🏾

[@sardonicus1966]

This is my best friend Dave's Auntie so i heard a lot of her music as we grew up together. We just used Black & White Rag at his Mum's funeral to cheer everyone up!! Love it!! Thanks for the upload.

[@NJPurling]

Winnie was a classically trained pianist (Royal Academy of Music). She was the first black artiste to sell a million records in the UK. It was a wise decision she made to record the rag on a old upright piano bought for fifty shillings in a Battersea junk shop. On a well-tuned concert piano it doesn't sound right. 'Pot Black' a snooker programme on British TV used the rag as it's theme & it was ages before I found out what it's name was & that it was Winnie

[@walshamite]

We grew up in the 1950s listening to her LPs with the Ted heath Orchestra ( a UK big band of the time) on a small Elac record player in Cyprus. My brother and I knew every note she played back then. it still comes back, as fresh as ever. Great to see and hear, thanks for the posting.

[@jnorman737]

There is so much magic in this gem of a performance. That saucy little wink at (whoever) on 1.13, the segue into Twelfth Street Rag on 1.33 and that knowing little smile when she successfully pulled off that augmented fill-in on 3.00. She was way ahead of her time, full of confidence and the ultimate professional pianist.

[@reetpeet]

Sent shivers up my neck, tears to my eyes and a huge grin to my face. Happy music!!

[@Theagchm]

How have I lived this long and not known who was behind this tune!!! Well done miss Winifred Atwell, well played.

[@IsherwoodWilliams1]

She was also an accomplished classical concert pianist, trained at the Royal Academy of Music.

[@steinwaygrande3971]

So sad she is not with us anymore. I saw her perform at the Sydney Opera House many years ago and long before she became ill and passed away. Lovely lady all round

[@1harryrobert]

What a marvellous brain to play this tune. Well done Winifred

[@dokbob5795]

My brother and I would always buy her records as soon as we saw them. A great way of getting kids into appreciating music

[@lincsposter]

Thanks for posting these rare clips! It is great to she her again! And what skill on the piano!

[@sandrataylor9479]

Love her, I used to have a record of her playing, but lost it in a move. So glad you put this on youtube, thankyou

[@tileajb1]

Great piano player, my mum used to call her " My Winnie" We had many 78 rpm records, unfortunately none were ever kept. Great memories, thanks for posting.

[@tonyivey5399]

My mum used to take about this lady ,but never took any notice ,until Elton John mention her name in a interview and I had to investigate more, she was very talented

[@alisonbell3561]

God in heaven, she was a sensational ragtime pianist. Amazing talent, I love listening to her.

[@nashnosh]

Oh, this lady is awesome. I only just got into piano recently, I wish I watched her when she was still here. Incredible! I read she was every bit a nice away from the piano too. What a lady. They'll be foot-tappin to this 200 years from now.

[@essexnana91]

Fantastic lady and talent..We always checked the Radio Times to see if she was on. Yes I'm 72 and still love her. Thanks for posting...

[@MustaffaCuppa]

Great stuff. That certainly had my foot tapping & my face grinning all the way through! What a happy sound.

[@alisonbell3561]

Fantastic! I love Winifred Attwell and this was her signature tune. Love it!

[@mikewoollett]

Only in our hearts sadly. Winnie passed away 28th February 1983 shortly before her 73rd birthday.

[@glenrea]

It's amazing wherever she went, so did that old piano!

[@Caribman9999]

Very, very few know or care to recall that Winifred Atwell was born and educated in the island of Trinidad - where even today her work and talent are celebrated, but, sadly, not fully recognized. Look for her album "Ivory and Steel" if you want to hear her in full recital with a Steel Orchestra!

[@sonyflow01]

I don't have words to describe that kind of work of a(.........) you fill in the blanks. All the love

[@alby5210]

what a talent she makes it look so easy RIP XXX

[@frankythefox]

wonderful nostalgia from Winnie, awesome smile and a great set of railings

[@Muswell]

Pure genius. Wonderful stuff.

[@TheBestRichy]

Now I think about it, she is a true hero of mine - I didn't really realise that until today - if anyone ever asks me who my hero is I know now the answer! Winnie Atwell, you are amazing

[@mikewoollett]

Well said.....Winnie is THE BEST....I have been a fan since I was 10 years old....!!

[@chrisredditch]

How can you not be entertained by that wonderful lady? Super stuff!

[@robertjjaffray1300]

So many good memories of Winifred Attwell in the 60's

[@miffy1950]

She was SO good!!! never to be forgotten

[@hategreed1]

FANTASTIC! And this marvelous woman/musician also HELPED Matt Monro get his career started in a big way. She even gave him his name.

[@robertwesex6490]

Young Miss Winnie performs perfectly.

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

A lovely and talented lady.... she came to Australia in 1955 and was very successful here..... she died in Sydney in 1985 and was laid to rest at Lismore NSW.. RIP

[@glenrea]

that was the "other" piano. I'm sure Mike would correct me but I read somewhere she bought it second hand in the 40's and it toured the world with her without ever being tuned, for her ragtime numbers.

[@jhorne18]

Winifred is about the best I ever have seen. Thanks for posting! :-))))))

[@TheMouse1950]

I was actually lucky to know her well she was a great friend of the family she was a great woman warm kindheart and if there was a piano in the room she always wanted to start playing so thanks for a great video

[@honkytonkpiano]

I've probably already said this, Mike, but this really is a most interesting video. Many thanks for posting it. And let's hear more of your own playing soon! All the best, Mike

[@diggler2002]

Thanks for posting this. Very beautiful.

[@ruandted]

Respected her as a kid , love her now . beaut memories .RIP

[@skyhop557]

Elton John brought me here. pretty freaking EPIC

[@Dallas-Nyberg]

What a treasure -- thanks for posting

[@antoniod]

A million selling artist in Britain.

[@wurli239]

One of the all time greats. . . . .

[@mistyo2158]

How does she do it its so incredible.

[@RAIDFIX]

More pianists should wink at the audience . . .

[@mingoaoba2876]

Before there were, Niki Minaj, Trinidad James, Rihanna and the lot.. There was Winifred Atwell. She was one of the first Caribbean artist out of Trinidad & Tobago to gain international acclaim. One of her most famous compositions "Jubilee Rag" was written about the street she grew up on in Tunapuna, Jubilee Street, "Five Finger Boogie" was Originally called "Piarco Boogie", she wrote this to win a bet with US servicemen stationed at the former Airfield at Piarco. Piarco is now the International Airport servicing Trinidad..You can google her people ::: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winifred_Atwell .

[@ltljulian]

I feel exhausted just watching her. Terrific. I need to lie down.

[@rogeralovell5321]

She was a favourite to all my family and friends whilst growing up! __ For piano entertainment I would follow Winnie and Liberace... they had it sewn up! __ Unfortunately, I believe it to be true, the main reason many people were not aware of her talent was due to, I HATE TO PRINT IT, her skin colour! __ Luckily her talent has outgrown our bigotry! __ THANK YOU for Posting! __ May her followers keep her talent out in the public arena! __ THANK YOU... KZbin! __ Sharing IS Caring! 'Simple Truth'

[@venderstrat]

Amazing. Gorgeous. Talented.

[@Derwentcub]

Wonderful lady with a huge talent.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Mesmerising. The lady had STYLE.

[@johneppel5693]

I love this woman.

[@holstenpils]

blown away, heard mum talk about her, but seeing live is a different matter

[@Cylowatt]

We all love you Winifred! Hope you have Internet up there in Heaven to watch all of your fan's comments. =) xD

[@vanessaquamina4923]

Just discovered this very talented lady ,I'm hooked ❤

[@harrodsongs]

Elton John cited her as a big influence.

[@theswiftandsteadfastunicor4249]

Elton John was right....she is fabulous.

[@NatalieJUK]

+The Swift and Steadfast Unicorn of Love And Bowie - he said 'she was tops.'

[@wilkes85]

Is that piano still around anyhere? It should be in a museum!

[@PianoFreak0127]

okay honestly, what stupid person would dislike this!? That just makes me mad. This woman is so talented

[@kaelacourtney]

Winifred Atwell is amazing! She is actually a distant cousin of mine!

[@merevaik555]

Amazing! Perfect!

[@mikewoollett]

@100Meadows Glad you have discovered the wonderful Winnie!! (Just a note it's Miss Atwell!)

[@michaelcorke2992]

Thank you, lovely

[@Doep90]

My Grandfather told me of her said when he was you he loved to listen to her music. P. S. He grew up in Apartheid South Africa

[@jaycethepianist]

ammmaaazinggg,. so stylish, sophisticated and tallented ahahaha :) love it

[@mikewoollett]

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

[@Broadclystboy]

What a superbly talented woman - classical music and Jerry Lee piano!

[@mikewoollett]

@Caramartelli Winnie was-and still is-the best. Glad you enjoyed!

[@frbjoernLA]

She is obviously playing the Piano beautifully in Heaven for the Angels and Saints who are every beautiful color in God's Creation!

[@HaroldHanlon]

Oh, how I wish we had the full -length versions of these clips. H

[@lewisgreen1633]

That’s so hard to do..

[@mariusalexandrescu]

I love her ! Fabulous !!!

[@7jack7]

A bridge to our past

[@lilchody]

Thats so amazing......She is one talented women

[@MrOldbrummie1]

Who remembers POT BLACK

[@VincentiusFaust]

I love her "That's it!" look! :) :D

[@HindsxOurxSound]

I love her smile :D

[@mikewoollett]

@HaroldHanlon The last clip (yellow dress) is her very last TV performance. Before "B&W" she had played "Choo Choo Samba". Wish I had that one to show you!!

[@MrComputerfan]

That Smile! :-D

[@mikewoollett]

It was me!!! Winnie was the very best-never been another like her has there?!!

[@HaroldHanlon]

I love watching this over and over. H

[@TheReturnOfStephan1]

CDUniverse. com has nearly a dozen of her CDs for sale. Amazon has a few, as well.

[@davyboy232]

this was used as the theme tune to the snooker show pot black

[@mikewoollett]

Yes she does!

[@philippegg6200]

Fabulous! Any Idea if the images in the yellow dress was from the Mike Walsh show? & her last media performance?

[@thelibran11]

Yeah...coming out of Trinidad...she expressed her joy,not in singing calypso,or playing mas in a carnival band,but with her piano.She was the aunt of my class mate Aubert out of Tunapuna,Trinidad.

[@yannickplace]

At 1:32, she actually switches to the "12th Street Rag", if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, I like the way she smiles sometimes, as if to say "Yes! That was the key, and I got it right..."

[@mattbuckley3486]

Yes!!!!!

[@tedhilson5322]

An old favorite of mine

[@mikewoollett]

@Pugophile Thanks for enjoying....glad you enjoyed!!

[@davidpibworth]

Superb. Great lady all round.

[@mikewoollett]

Well actually she was-Winifred Atwell "The Queen Of The Keyboard" that is!!