Zez Confrey

Zez Confrey was an American composer and pianist best known for his contributions to early 20th-century novelty piano music. Born in 1895, Confrey became a household name in the 1920s with his wildly popular piece "Kitten on the Keys," which helped define the lively, whimsical style known as novelty piano—a genre that blends ragtime rhythms with playful, imaginative melodies. His intricate, syncopated works captured the spirit of the jazz age and found a wide audience among both amateur and professional pianists.

Confrey studied at the Chicago Musical College and initially worked as a pianist and arranger for a piano roll company, which gave him a platform to distribute his music widely. Throughout his career, he composed both solo piano works and orchestral pieces, though it's his novelty rags and charming miniatures that left the most lasting impression. Even today, pieces like "Dizzy Fingers" and "Kitten on the Keys" remain popular among fans of vintage American piano music.

Genres

Ragtime

Hard Bop

Latest Release

Novelty Piano Solos

Zez Confrey

Album - 26 Tracks - Released August 25, 2020