Scott Joplin, often hailed as "The King of Ragtime," was a seminal American composer and pianist whose work had a profound influence on the development of ragtime music at the turn of the 20th century. Born circa November 24, 1868, in Northeast Texas, Joplin grew up in a musical environment, with his father playing the violin and his mother the banjo. His raw talent and formal studies allowed him to meld classical elements with the rhythms and melodies of African-American music, giving birth to the distinctive ragtime sound.

Joplin's works largely consist of piano rags, marches, waltzes, and other pieces that showcase his amazing ability to syncopate melodies against a steady rhythm, creating a lively and bouncing musical experience. Some of his most famous pieces include "Maple Leaf Rag," which became ragtime's first and most influential hit, and "The Entertainer," which gained renewed popularity in the 1970s when it was used as the theme music for the film "The Sting." Although he achieved fame during his lifetime, Joplin did not receive substantial financial success and died relatively obscure in 1917. Today, his music endures, and Joplin is celebrated as a pioneer who laid the groundwork for jazz and other forms of American music that followed. His compositions, with their complex bass patterns and intricate, syncopated melodies, continue to challenge and delight pianists and audiences alike.

Genres

African-american Classical

American Modern Classical

Post-romantic Era

Ragtime

Related Artists

Duke Ellington

Jelly Roll Morton

George Gershwin

Fats Waller

Claude Debussy

Count Basie

Leonard Bernstein

Oscar Peterson

Maurice Ravel

Eubie Blake

Erroll Garner

Teddy Wilson

Latest Release

Scott Joplin – The King of Ragtime: Complete Piano Works

Scott Joplin

Album - 56 Tracks - Released June 3, 2022