Scott Joplin Born: ? Died: April 1, 1917
Early Life Parents were former slaves Parents were former slaves A lot of mystery to his early life since there is no documentation A lot of mystery to his early life since there is no documentation Was born between June 1867 and mid-January 1868 Was born between June 1867 and mid-January 1868 He was on the 1870 census as a two year old He was on the 1870 census as a two year old Moved to Texarkana Moved to Texarkana
Musical Career first reported in the newspapers first reported in the newspapers First published songs: First published songs: Please Say You Will Please Say You Will A Picture of Her Face A Picture of Her Face The Maple Leaf Rag The Maple Leaf Rag Greatest and most famous of piano rags Greatest and most famous of piano rags 1 cent royalty on each sale 1 cent royalty on each sale The Ragtime Dance The Ragtime Dance A stage work for dancers and singing narrator A stage work for dancers and singing narrator
Sunflower Slow Drag Sunflower Slow Drag Peacherine Rag Peacherine Rag The Easy Winners The Easy Winners The Strenuous Life (tribute to President Roosevelt) The Strenuous Life (tribute to President Roosevelt) A Breeze From Alabama A Breeze From Alabama The Entertainer The Entertainer
Operas A Guest of Honor (1903) A Guest of Honor (1903) Booker T Washington’s at President Roosevelt’s White House in 1901 Booker T Washington’s at President Roosevelt’s White House in 1901 Someone associated with the company stole the box office receipts and the tour ended with Joplin not being able to meet payroll. All of his possessions were confiscated. Copies of the score were never recovered. Someone associated with the company stole the box office receipts and the tour ended with Joplin not being able to meet payroll. All of his possessions were confiscated. Copies of the score were never recovered. Treemonisha (1911) Treemonisha (1911) The only educated member of her community leads her townspeople out of the bondage of ignorance and superstition. Proposing the view that racial equality would come with education. The only educated member of her community leads her townspeople out of the bondage of ignorance and superstition. Proposing the view that racial equality would come with education.
Later Years Called “The King of Ragtime” Called “The King of Ragtime” Died on April 1, 1917 from syphilis Died on April 1, 1917 from syphilis Revival of his music in 1970s Revival of his music in 1970s Treemonisha was successfully staged and finally reached broadway Treemonisha was successfully staged and finally reached broadway Joplin’s music was used in the movie The Sting Joplin’s music was used in the movie The Sting
What is Ragtime Music? Ragtime- A style of jazz characterized by syncopated rhythm in the melody and a steady accompaniment. Ragtime- A style of jazz characterized by syncopated rhythm in the melody and a steady accompaniment.