Boogie-Woogie might sound like a silly name for a musical genre, but those who are masters of it should be held in high praise. From Professor Longhair, Otis Spann, and Duke Ellington to Fats Domino, Ray Charles, and Allen Toussaint, these Boogie-Woogie legends are responsible for some of the finest music ever created. But even those icons would be hesitant to do what Ontario-based legend Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has done with his latest single “Try It Out.” A banjo, horns, Boogie-Woogie piano and a funky ‘70s bass line should not work so well. But thankfully, Wayne didn‘t listen, resulting in a refreshing, upbeat, and incredibly catchy track.
“Try It Out,” from Wayne ‘s forthcoming album Ooh Yeah!, opens with a gorgeous, funky bass line that sounds like it came direct from New York ‘s Studio 54 nightclub. But that‘s just a taste of what‘s around the song‘s corner. From there, a banjo emerges in the mix with some intricate fingerpicking, bringing to mind Ricky Skaggs or Billy Strings. The listener might do a double take at first but Wayne and his fine ensemble of musicians find the majestic mojo to get this single soaring before he‘s finished delivering his initial lyrics. Add horns into the already fine chorus, and the nearly 80-year-old Wayne is steering this party-starting staple to its glorious, good-times conclusion.
If “Try It Out” sounds this solid on Ooh Yeah!, it is beyond anyone‘s expectations how much of a show-stopper this single could be in concert. With the horns, banjo and Boogie-Woogie finesse of Wayne, this tune could easily go on for far longer than its current length of four minutes and thirty-six seconds.
As if Wayne‘s career wasn‘t deep and intriguing enough with his vast discography, “Try It Out” only adds another fine addition for the native of Spokane, Washington, who moved a few times in his early years with his family. Moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles, Wayne played gospel music with the encouragement of his father, the Reverend Matthew Spruell. An uncle would soon introduce the childhood prodigy to the world of Boogie-Woogie and from that a new avenue of expression opened up for Wayne.
A winner of Canada’s JUNO Award in 2006 for Best Blues Album and several Maple Blues Awards over his career, Wayne in 2017 was inducted into the Boogie-Woogie Piano Hall of Fame while performing as part of the Cincy Blues Festival. In 2023 he received the Bobby Blue Bland Lifetime Achievement Award from Atlanta‘s Jus Blues Music Foundation. And most recently was the winner of the 2024 Blues Music Award for ‘The Pinetop Perkins’ Piano Player of the Year as well as Living Blues magazine‘s Keyboardist of the Year honor.
Performing throughout Canada, the United States, and on various Blues Cruises, Wayne released his last studio album in 2022 entitled Blues From Chicago to Paris: A Tribute to Memphis Slim and Willie Dixon. In addition to these accolades, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has shared the stage with a horde of legends including Pinetop Perkins, Johnnie Johnson, and Floyd Dixon. He also worked with a bevy of rock heavyweights including Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, the Doobie Brothers and Delaney and Bonnie among others. It‘s no surprise then that his nickname of “Blues Boss” is so accurate.
“Try It Out” is one of 12 great tracks from Wayne‘s Ooh Yeah!, which features great local guests including guitarist Jimmy Bowskill and a great horn section from Quebec. The album is described as “remarkably adventurous” as it “stretches the boundaries of instrumentation for the blues.” Judging by how much oomph is packed in “Try It Out,” listeners would be very fortunate and blessed to take Kenny “Boss Blues” Wayne up on his suggestion.
Track Listing:
1. Ooh Yeah!
2. Whatcha Gonna Do Now?
3. Baby, I’m Your Man
4. Sailing with the Sunset
5. My Point of View
6. Try It Out
7. Wishing Well
8. Honey, Honey, Honey
9. Blacklist
10. I Wish Things Were Different
11. It’s Pouring Down
12. That Crazy Monkey
