Charles Avery (pianist) facts for kids

Charles Avery (born February 2, 1892 – died September 11, 1974) was an American blues and boogie-woogie pianist. He only released one song under his own name. However, Charles Avery played piano for many famous blues musicians in the 1920s and 1930s. We don't know much about his life outside of music.

About Charles Avery

Charles Avery was born in Brighton, Alabama, in the United States. He spent most of his life in Chicago, Illinois. He had a strong connection to Chicago and its music scene. His only song released under his own name, "Dearborn St. Breakdown" (1929), showed this connection. It was released by Paramount Records. This song sounded like the music played by other Chicago musicians at that time. Charles Avery also played with many musicians who were connected to Chicago. Music experts noted that Avery had "a prodigious piano technique," meaning he was a very skilled piano player.

His Musical Journey

Charles Avery was most active in the late 1920s and 1930s. Record companies often hired him as a "session musician." This means he played piano on recordings for other artists who didn't play piano themselves. He helped many musicians create their songs.

Playing with Other Artists

Avery played piano for many well-known artists. These included Leroy Carr, Tampa Red, Lucille Bogan (in 1930), Victoria Spivey (in 1931), Lil Johnson (in 1929), and Red Nelson (in 1935). He also played for a lesser-known singer named Freddie "Redd" Nicholson in 1930.

Most of Avery's work as a backing musician was released by Brunswick Records and Decca Records. This happened between 1929 and 1935.

He played with Lucille Bogan when she used the name Bessie Jackson. In March 1930, he added his boogie-woogie piano style to her song "Alley Boogie." This was one of the first songs to use the word 'boogie' in its title. It came after Pinetop Smith's "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie" from 1928. Charles Avery also played piano on Lucille Bogan's song "My Georgia Grind" in March 1930.

Lil Johnson even praised Avery on her 1929 recording of "House Rent Scuffle." She said, "Somebody buy the piano player a drink... He's just too tight. I wish you'd play that at my house every Saturday night!" This shows how much she liked his playing.

His Own Music

Charles Avery's own song, "Dearborn St. Breakdown," is featured on the album The Boogie Woogie Masters (1996). This album includes many other great boogie-woogie songs.

His Legacy

Charles Avery passed away on September 11, 1974. He was 82 years old. He was buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Blue Island, Illinois.

It's important not to confuse him with another person named Charles Avery. That Charles Avery (1873–1926) was a silent film actor, director, and writer.

Solo Songs

Singles