Essays on Ragtime

One musical style that developed in the twentieth century is jazz. While its roots may be African American, jazz is considered the only American contribution to music (Wright, 1996, p.390). Alongside with blues and popular music, jazz is music that explored during the age of musical diversity, drawing inspiration from “musical streams from the New…

Scott Joplin, known as the “King of Ragtime” music, was born on November 24, 1868, in Bowie County, Texas near Linden. He came from a large musical family – his father, Giles Joplin, played dance music as a slave and his mother, Florence Givens Joplin, sang and played the banjo. Four of his siblings also…

The documentary “JAZZ” directed by Ken Burns in 2001 explores the origin and progression of jazz, which is widely regarded as America’s greatest cultural achievement. The first segments, titled “Gumbo, Beginnings to 1917” and “The Gift (1917-1924),” focus on the early development of jazz. These episodes trace its roots from New Orleans and its subsequent…

Jelly Roll Morten (1890 1941). First recognized and important jazz composer. Capable of playing both ragtime styles and jazz styles. (Incorporate improvisation in his music.) Pioneer of swing 8th note technique. Engaging/ energizing performer. (Coming from improvisation. In the moment. Lack in recordings). Earl Father Hines (1903-1983) pianist and band leader, born Pittsburg, moved to…

Ragtime and blues are the foundations of jazz. Both were initially very popular among African Americans as jazz came from an African background. The blues contain the musical structure of jazz with the 12 bar pattern, while ragtime supplies the unique syncopations and improvisations. The early musicians of blues and ragtime would eventually provide the…