Hi all, I'm planning on playing the boogie woogie hit Honky Tonk Train Blues by Meade Lux Lewis with a guitarist.

Will it work, and if so, how (what should the guitar do)?

PS: there will be a drummer

Cheers

INHO, the guitarist should sit on his hands.

I cannot imagine any other instrument on that song. Its one of the few 100% piano songs.

Even the Jim Cullum Jazz Band with Dick Hyman on piano recorded it 100% piano, and that is one swingin' hot band. They did it with drums, and there was an acoustic bass, but way in the background.

Thought so.. I tried to combine guitar and piano on my digital piano.. couldn't get anything tbh.

What would an acoustic bass play?

As I recall, the bass was barely audible, just filling in the lower register hole with I think the root.

I am trying very hard to figure out how this would work, since it would be interesting if a guitar could do it. For this song to work, it requires an instrument that is capable of producing a strong percussion sound as well as a strong legato sound, which a guitar in it's natural state is not that good at. Anything I think of kind of leaves good taste and wanders into guitar wankery.

One option would be to duplicate Bob Zurke works and let the guitarist take over for the horns. Clicky to listen (This link will only let you listen once)

You can get that on Spotify btw.

Nah I don't think a guitar would be suitable for that (and he'll be taking my glory lol!).