The Parlor. America’s “entertainment center” from 1890 to 1920. Before TV, before radio - when a piano and sheet music opened the world to new sounds and new composers.

Who were the heroes of Parlor Town? Men of color who defined musical culture for white America. Men who challenged racist stereotypes by creating some of the most sophisticated and eclectic music the world has ever heard.. White composers who valued and were influenced by these men.

Pianist Brent Watkins traces the musical development of Ragtime. Featuring the music of Scott Joplin, as well as lesser known American classics from ragtime’s twilight years, plus East Coast Stride standards by James P. Johnson and Eubie Blake.

A compelling multimedia presentation combining film, live piano performance with an oral history of the music, "The Heroes of Parlor Town" is a program that is available for schools, museums, and wherever history and music are celebrated. Visit our online store to purchase audio CD's. View our media gallery of recent appearances, or contact us for booking information.

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When our Heroes came….the music of America was forever changed.

Made possible in part by Grants from: