The Originator of Ragtime -- September 7, 2023

Seattle Star, 08-September-1923

Ben Harney was a white guy who liked to claim that he invented ragtime. His vaudeville troupe at the Palace Hip in Seattle included an African-American jazz band, billed as "Ben Harney's seven jazz maniacs."

Seattle Star, 08-September-1923

Top Liner Rag -- September 23, 2019

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Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb were the three most important composers of classic ragtime. Joseph Lamb was the only one of the three who was not African-American. "Top Liner Rag" was considered one of his "heavy" rags.

Sensation Rag -- August 21, 2019

Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb were the three most important composers of classic ragtime. Joseph Lamb was the only one of the three who was not African-American.  Lamb's first published rag was "Sensation a Rag."  It was published by John Stark and arranged by Scott Joplin.

Grace and Beauty -- July 17, 2019

Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb were the three most important composers of classic ragtime. James Scott went to St Louis to meet his hero, Scott Joplin. John Stark published "Grace and Beauty -- A Classy Rag" in 1909.

Frog Legs Rag -- June 17, 2019

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Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb were the three most important composers of classic ragtime.  James Scott went to St Louis to meet his hero, Scott Joplin.  Joplin listened to some of Scott's tunes and arranged for John Stark to publish "Frog Legs Rag."

Zu Zu Rag -- May 19, 2019

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Max E Fishler published "Zu Zu Rag," "A Snappy Rag Full of Ginger," in 1916.

Pine Apple Rag -- April 19, 2019

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Scott Joplin, "The King of Rag Time Writers," published "Pine Apple Rag" in 1908.

I found Harriet Janis and Rudi Blesh's book They All Played Ragtime at the Anza Branch Library and enjoyed it, but I hadn't heard most of the music. The Anza and Richmond branches did not have any ragtime records, but I found Joshua Rifkin's album Scott Joplin Piano Rags at the Main Library. I later bought my own copy.

James Reese Europe 100 Years -- April 9, 2019

Talking Machine World, 15-May-1919

James Reese Europe died 100 years ago today, on 09-April-1919. He was a musician, a composer, a conductor and a producer of musical shows. He was a pioneer in orchestral ragtime music and was part of the transition between ragtime and jazz, which was just starting to roll.  He led the band that toured with Vernon and Irene Castle, famous ballroom dancers.  

When the war broke out, he volunteered to join the New York National Guard. He wound up serving as an officer in the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters. White officers in the US Army did not want to deal with African-American troops, so they happily assigned the Hellfighters to French Army command.  Europe led a machine gun detachment in the Second Battle of the Marne, and formed the regiment's band, which became famous.  The Hellfighters Band toured around France, performing for Allied troops and the wounded in hospitals.  The band had started on a tour around the United States when Europe was murdered.  

General John J Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Force. General Henri Gouraud commanded troops in the Dardanelles and then on the Western Front.

DEATH OF LIEUT. JAMES R. EUROPE

Leader of Famous 369th U. S. Infantry Band Meets Tragic Death in Boston — Organization Recently Made Number of Pathé Records

The tragic death in Boston on May 9 of Lieutenant James Reese Europe, better known as "Jim Europe," after an altercation with a member of this famous band, ends a career that was one of the sensations of the music world.

Jim Europe was born in Mobile, Ala., in 1881, but by reason of his long metropolitan career he is properly considered a New Yorker. After picking up musical education wherever he could, he became not only a conductor of individuality, but a composer of no mean skill, an accomplished pianist and a musician who could play any instrument in the band.

Before the war he was the most popular leader of New York's dance hall orchestras, and the one man who made jazz music the favorite music of the day. When the war started Europe enlisted, and soon became the leader of the most famous band of the American forces.' He led his "Hell Fighters" (369th United States Infantry) band overseas and made American jazz the favorite music of France. This famous fighting band cheered the boys "over the top" and was a very determined factor in helping win the war. Europe's band played for Generals Pershing and Gouraud, and at their direction went through France, playing at the various rest camps and hospitals and in Paris.

Since his return from the battlefields of France, Europe's jazz band has made a sensational tour in this country, playing to packed houses in every city. Everyone that has heard this remarkable music has gone wild about it.

Although Europe has died, his wonderful music will fortunately live forever. This famous leader and his "Hell Fighters' Band" have made records for Pathé of all of the favorite selections. These Pathé records give Europe's music at its best. By means of these records the jazz music, inaugurated and perfected by this wonderful leader, will stand as a lasting memorial to the skill of Lieutenant Europe and enable American dance lovers to always hear this splendid dance music.

Talking Machine World, 15-May-1919

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The Junk Man Rag -- March 15, 2019

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Luckyth Roberts, usually called Luckey Roberts, was a ragtime and stride pianist who composed many numbers. He served in the Harlem Hellfighters and played in the regimental band under James Reese Europe.

Maurice and Florence Walton were dancers in vaudeville.

Angel Food Rag -- February 15, 2019

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Al Marzian published "Angel Food Rag" in 1911.

Grizzly Bear Rag -- January 13, 2018

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In 1910, George Botsford published "The Grizzly Bear Rag."  I don't know much about him, but I like the cover illustration.

Broncho Billy Rag -- December 13, 2018

Gilbert M Anderson, Broncho Billy, was the first western star. With George K Spoor, he had founded Essanay (S and A). In 1914, Nell Wright Slaughter published "Broncho Billy Rag," a charming tune. I can't find much information about the composer except that she lived in Texas and was also known as Nell Wright Watson.

Ragtime Cowboy Joe -- November 15, 2018

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It's not really a rag, but I like it.  When a young cousin wearing a cowboy outfit visited the composers, one was inspired to write the song.

Favorite Albums -- April 19, 2018

Last month on Facebook, I was nominated by a friend to list my ten all-time favorite albums. "What really made an impact and is still on your rotation list. Post the cover, no need to explain." I enjoyed the exercise, although it was tough to narrow it down to ten and not make any explanations. I thought I would use my blog to share the albums and perhaps make some comments.

My first choice, because the file name was first in the directory, was Elvis Costello's third album, Armed Forces.  This was the first Elvis Costello album that I purchased.  I love the music on the LP and the EP.  Once I saved up enough money, I went back to Tower Records and bought his first two albums.

Some don't like modal jazz; they think the musicians are just playing scales.  Miles Davis and his sextette are not just playing scales on Kind of Blue.

Last year my daughter and I were sitting in the car waiting for my wife.  I put this CD in the player.  My daughter was quiet until she heard "How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?"  She said "That is warped."  Yes it is.

I had trouble deciding which Duke Ellington album to select, but "Ellington at Newport" has the 27 chorus saxophone solo by Juan Gonsalves on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."

I bought my fiancée all of Ella Fitzgerald's songbooks, but the Gershwin was our favorite.   We used two songs from it for our wedding reception.

I read in Newsweek that Glenn Gould had recorded a new version of The Goldberg Variations.  I saved enough money, which took a while because classical albums cost more than pop or rock'n'roll albums.

I found Harriet Janis and Rudi Blesh's They All Played Ragtime at the Anza Branch Library and enjoyed it, but I hadn't heard most of the music.  The Anza and Richmond branches did not have any ragtime records, but I found Joshua Rifkin's album at the Main Library.  I later bought my own copy.

I don't own this actual album, but this image allowed me to represent Louis Armstrong and the Hot Five and Hot Seven with one entry.  I love all the recordings.  "West End Blues," "Weather Bird," "Potato Head Blues," all of them.

I didn't know about Louis Jordan until someone played "Saturday Night Fish Fry" on KJAZ.  I went looking for him at Tower Records.

What can I say about Sun Ra?  Space IS the place.  Some don't believe he visited Saturn in 1936 or 1937.

Scott Joplin 100 Years -- April 1, 2017

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One hundred years ago today, on 01-April-1917, the father of ragtime, Scott Joplin, died at the age of 49.  Joplin had played piano at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.  In 1894 he settled in Sedalia, Missouri, home of the Maple Leaf Club, and taught piano. I could not find a reference to his passing in any contemporary newspapers that are online.

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In 1899, he published his first ragtime composition, "Original Rags."

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"Maple Leaf Rag," also published in 1899, was Scott Joplin's most famous and influential composition.  I once put together a mix tape made up entirely of recordings of this tune.

In 1911, Joplin published Treemonisha, an opera.  Joplin was able to produce it once, in 1913.  Since 1975, it has been staged several times.

Peacherine Rag -- February 1, 2016

Scott Joplin, "The King of Ragtime Writers," published "Peacherine Rag" in 1901.  At the time, I think "Peacherine" was slang for a pretty girl.

Maple Leaf Rag -- January 5, 2016

IN Harmony ID:

LL-SDV-202046

"Maple Leaf Rag," published in 1899, was Scott Joplin's most famous and influential composition.  I once put together a mix tape made up entirely of recordings of this tune.

Original Rags -- December 1, 2015

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Scott Joplin composed many famous ragtime tunes. In 1899, he published his first, "Original Rags."

I liked ragtime and first learned something about when I read Rudi Blesh's They All Played Ragtime.  

Searchlight Rag -- November 1, 2015

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Scott Joplin composed many famous ragtime tunes.  "Searchlight Rag," published in 1907, is not a famous one.  It is named after the town of Searchlight, Nevada, where a gold rush in the first decade of the 20th Century had drawn some of his friends.

Grauman's Chinese #14 -- September 18, 2010

Beloved performer Jimmy Durante left hand and schnozzola prints in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese on 31-October-1945. Jimmy began his show business career as an excellent ragtime pianist. He was a member of an early New York jazz band, the Original New Orleans Jazz Band. He went on to star in vaudeville as a singer and a comedian. Over the years, he starred in radio, movies, and television. He was famous for many catch phrases including "Ha-cha-cha-chaaaaaaa," "Dat's my boy dat said dat," "Everybody wants ta get inta the act," and "Umbriago!" DSCN4150. I took this on 18-July-2009.