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Whether performed in our presentation, or mentioned as contributors to the history of American Music, here are some the "Heroes" who changed the musical landscape of America from 1900 - 1925. |
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Scott Joplin. 1868 - 1917. One of the most prolific and popular ragtime composers. The first great American composer. He sought to elevate his music above the popular vernacular. His dream was to see his music included among the great classical composers. His opera "Treemonisha" was devoted to the message of education being the true liberator of African Americans. |
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Arthur Marshall. 1881 - 1968. An early collaborator with Scott Joplin, Aurther Marshall became an accomplished ragtime composer. His long life allowed him to provide first hand accounts of music and musicians during the 1900's. |
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Scott Hayden. 1882 - 1915. Also an early callaborator with Scott Joplin, Scott Hayden, together with Arthur Marshall and Scott Joplin, formed the trio of composers residing in Sedalia, Missouri. Their compositions formed the foundation of ragtime's first decade. |
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John Stillwell Stark. 1841 - 1927. Sedalia publisher whose faith and dedication to putting the music of Scott Joplin and others to print gave black composers their first opportunity to reach a national audience. |
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James Scott. 1886 - 1938. Second only to Scott Joplin in stature as a ragtime composer. James Scott, also from Missouri, was an outstanding contributor to American music at the turn of the century. Unlike Scott Joplin, his music today is still largely unknown except to ragtime enthusiasts. |
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Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (Jelly Roll Morton). 1890-1941. Perhaps the first "bad boy" of American Music, Jelly Roll Morton did much to transition American music from ragtime to jazz. |
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Eubie Blake. 1887 - 1983. Together with lyricist Noble Sissel, their hit broadway musical "Shuffle Along" was the first theatrical presentation allowed to feature a love relationship between a black man and woman. |
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James P. Johnson. 1891 - 1955. The "father" of east-coast stride piano, he laid the foundation for jazz pianists throughout the 20th century. With his roots in ragtime, he went on to compose the single biggest hit that defined the 1920's, "The Charleston". In collaboration with Langston Hughes, his opera "De Organizer" was an early call to civil rights for African Americans. |
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