Boogie-woogie pianist packs Fremont library

Fremont Public Library in Mundelein held a program of toe-tapping family fun as pianist Matthew Ball, aka The Boogie Woogie Kid, entertained the crowd with classics like "Swanee River", "Over the Rainbow," "The Entertainer" and "In the Mood."

He performed jazz music from the '20s, '30s and '40s to a packed house Monday night.

Ball, 43 of Detroit, left his job as an attorney in 2001 after attending a boogie-woogie festival. A lifelong pianist, Ball fell in love with the style of music.

"It has a wonderfully broad demographic," said Ball. "Unlike some other forms of jazz which are often relegated to background music, this music can hold an audience and a stage that that style of jazz cannot." Ball has become a YouTube sensation, receiving over 2.8 million views.

To find out more about programs at Fremont Public Library go to www.fremontlibrary.org