The subtext is simple—a perfectly balanced left hand augmented by a bouncing, out-of-control right hand crossed with the 12-bar blues turned from 33&1/3 to 78. All of this equals boogie woogie piano.

The Bloomington Blues & Boogie Woogie Piano Festival is one of the friendliest Judy Carmichael has ever played. That's one reason Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, Steinway Artist and host of NPR's "Judy ...