Ragtime Originated in Sedalia, MO St. Louis became the Ragtime center around 1901 General Public first exposed to Ragtime at a series of World’s Fairs held in Omaha, Chicago, Buffalo, and the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis

RAGTIME Chronologically New Orleans Dixieland Jazz came first but no pianist were included as this developed out of marching bands Ragtime still has a profound effect on the development of Jazz, especially pianist. Ragtime players were both black and white

RAGTIME Not considered true Jazz because it is composed before it is performed Solo style Not improvised, but has improvised feel

RAGTIME Left hand bass and chords Right hand melodic parts Uses syncopation in left hand (bass notes on 1 & 3 and chords on 2 & 4) Has a “ragged time feel” (one possibility for the origin of the name)

RAGTIME Composers of Rags sometimes “borrowed” ideas, getting credit as the first to notate a particular rag Somewhat Rigid Form Shows European influence with this concern for balance Each Rag included Four themes (or melodies) with equal stress or importance within the composition

Scott Joplin Was a classically trained pianist Composed a (1) Symphony & (2) Operas Most prolific composer of ragtime music “King of ragtime” Composed 600 tunes, published the movie “The Sting” revitalized interest in Joplin’s music & ragtime. Youtube – (The Entertainer) LISTENING JOURNAL Maple Leaf Rag

Jelly Roll Morton Best known ragtime player at the time Claims to have invented jazz in 1902 One of first successful Ragtime Pianist to form his own orchestra - –“Jelly Roll Morton and His Red Hot Peppers First time in jazz that personality of the performer was more important than the material –Youtube -example –Listening Journal –“Maple Leaf Rag”

Ragtime and Dixieland Merge New Orleans Dixieland bands evolved from marching bands Clarinet, cornet, trombone, banjo, tuba, drums Piano could replace a couple of musicians by playing bass in left hand, chords in right

Ragtime and Dixieland Merge Two major changes were 1. The melodic concept of Rags changed From 4 themes to two = Verse(1 st theme) & Repeated Chorus (4 th theme) 2. The rhythmic aspects of the left hand of the ragtime pianist influence the feel Dixieland band goes from a smooth 1,2,3,4 to the “ragged” 2 feel

Stride piano Not concerned with ragtime form Played popular tunes of the day no mater what style Only a small portion of piece was composed Most Stride Pianist were proficient improvisers More Intense, faster, more drive than ragtime

James P. Johnson Famous stride pianist Composed famous tune “Charleston” “Father of stride piano” Youtube = The Charleston LISTENING JOURNAL “Carolina Shout”

Thomas “Fats” Waller Student of James P. Johnson Most exciting stride player of the day True stage performer but piano playing was suburb In 1922 accompanies Blue Singers most notable was Bessie Smith 1927 goes Solo *Youtube-“Your Feets Too Big”

Art Tatum One of the most versatile pianist in Jazz history Almost completely blind Stride playing is one of his favorites Played with small groups but usually solo Virtuoso technique

Art Tatum Added advanced harmonies Was ahead of his time and influence countless piano players to come Influence still felt today Collection of works won a Grammy in YOUTUBE-example LISTENING JOURNAL “Elgie”

Boogie-Woogie Piano Great depression of the 1930s Solo Piano often replaced bands to save money Rent parties Ostinato Bass –Eight beats to a measure –Bass pattern repeated in left hand –Right hand improvises using “rifts”

BOOGIE-WOOGIE Reached its peak in the early 1930’s Word boogie first appears on a record in1928 by Chicago’s Pine Top Smith *Youtube - Pine Tops Boogie *Youtube - Meade Lux Lewis –LISTENING JOURNAL Meade Lux Lewis’s “Honky Tonk Train Blues”

BOOGIE-WOOGIE Late 1990’s Boogie-Woogie & Swing revival Youtube The Dirty Boogie - Brian Setzer Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies