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American history comes alive during “The Heroes of Parlor Town”, a multimedia presentation combining video, oral history and live performance by pianist Brent Watkins. The presentation traces the transformation of American Popular Music by African-American composers from the 1890’s through the 1920’s. |
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Overcoming the popular perception that blacks were incapable of formal music composition and notation, these individuals persevered against prejudice and outright thievery of their intellectual property, to find sympathetic businessmen who would publish and promote their music. Their persistence led to a musical revolution that began in the Midwest and swept through America – thrusting the United States into international prominence as the source of an exciting new music, “Ragtime.” |
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The presentation begins with a ten minute video tracing the post-civil war cultural climate, the contribution of African American’s to the creation of a new musical genre, and the role racism played in keeping African Americans from finding their deserved recognition for their cultural contributions. Following the video, pianist Brent Watkins performs ragtime and early jazz piano selections while providing fascinating insights into the progression of American popular music through the early 20th century. |  |
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