At the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century, ragtime music swept across America and Europe. This captivating art form is marked by offbeat accents and unexpected rhythmic patterns.
There are many musicians that have made a significant impact on American music, but not many people know about the ragtime composers. These men and women created some of the most memorable melodies in American history.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at 11 of the greatest ragtime composers and explore their lives and music. Without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Scott Joplin (1868–1917)
Famous African-American composer Scott Joplin had one of the shortest careers in ragtime history, yet he is affectionately known by many as the King of Ragtime.
Born in 1868 in Texas, Joplin’s family worked as railway workers and played music as a hobby. By his 20s, Joplin left his railway job to pursue music full-time.
He traveled across the U.S., teaching piano and mentoring future ragtime stars like Arthur Marshall and Scott Hayden (whom we’ll discuss later).
Joplin is best known for composing “The Entertainer” and “The Maple Leaf Rag,” which sold 75,000 copies in its first six months.
In 1916, Joplin developed syphilis-induced dementia and passed away three months later at 48.
2. Jelly Roll Morton (1890–1941)
Ferdinand Joseph Lemoth was born in 1890 in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a Creole family. He had a tough childhood and started playing piano in brothels at 14, earning the nickname Jelly Roll Morton.
In the early 1900s, Jelly Roll toured the South with minstrel shows. By 1920, he was composing in Hollywood and Chicago, with “Wolverine Blues” being one of his famous pieces.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, his career flourished in New York. His piece “King Porter Stomp” became Benny Goodman’s first big hit.
Despite his success, Jelly Roll faced financial struggles and racial segregation. He died in 1941 from respiratory problems, a complication from a stabbing in 1938.
3. James P. Johnson (1894–1955)
A key figure in American music, James Price Johnson was inspired by Scott Joplin and began his music career in 1912 as a pianist.
He quickly became a well-known ragtime pianist on the East Coast. His famous works include “Harlem Strut” and “Carolina Shout,” which remain popular today.
The Great Depression hurt his career, but he managed to stay active through grants and his successful “Spirituals to Swing” concerts in the late 1930s.
Johnson passed away in 1955, four years after a severe stroke in 1951. Nevertheless, his legacy continues to inspire musicians.
4. Eubie Blake (1887–1983)
Next, we have James Hubert “Eubie” Blake. He showed his musical talent early when he taught himself to play the organ in a music store. The store manager convinced his family to buy him an organ, and he received formal lessons from his church’s organist.
As a young boy, Blake began composing “Charleston Rag,” which marked the start of his career as a composer.
He found great success later in life, especially with his 1969 album The Eighty-Six Years of Eubie Blake. He appeared on popular TV shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show.
Blake lived nearly a century; his illustrious career ended just before his 100th birthday.
5. Joseph Lamb (1887–1960)
Joseph Francis Lamb is one of the few non-African American artists known for his contributions to ragtime music. He taught himself piano at a young age.
In 1907, he met his idol, Scott Joplin, while buying Joplin’s music. Joplin was impressed by Lamb and introduced him to music publisher John Stark. From 1908 to 1919, Stark published 12 of Lamb’s rags.
Lamb’s compositions varied in style. Some, like “Ethiopia Rag” and “The Top Liner Rag,” were heavy and melody-driven. Others, like “Champagne Rag” and “Bohemia Rag,” had lighter melodies.
6. Arthur Marshall (1881–1968)
Born in 1881, Arthur Owen Marshall entered the world of ragtime music early. At 15, he hosted Scott Joplin in his Sedalia home.
Marshall and his friend, Scott Hayden, became Joplin’s protégés, learning ragtime music deeply. He furthered his studies at George R. Smith College and earned a teaching license.
Despite facing racial discrimination, Marshall stayed active in music tours and competitions. His collaboration with Joplin on “Swipsey Cake Walk” is notable.
Marshall retired from music in 1917 but later participated in ragtime revivals.
7. Scott Hayden
Our next ragtime master, Scott Hayden started his musical journey in high school when he and Arthur Marshall studied under Scott Joplin. Hayden even lived with the Joplin family and later became related to them through marriage.
Despite his promising start, Hayden faced many hardships. His first wife, Nora, died in childbirth in 1901. Grieving, Hayden moved to Chicago, remarried, and worked as an elevator operator.
Hayden died of tuberculosis in 1915. Despite his short life and struggles, he made significant contributions to ragtime music: He collaborated with Joplin on pieces like “Something Doing” and “Kismet Rag,” and composed solo works such as the unfinished “Pear Blossoms.”
8. James Scott (1885–1938)
Born to former slaves, James Sylvester Scott had an unusual start to his musical career. In 1902, he began working at a music store washing windows but soon charmed patrons with his piano performances.
The shop owner saw Scott’s talent and started publishing his work, resulting in pieces like “A Summer Breeze,” “March and Two Step,” and “On the Pike March.”
In 1905, Scott sought out Scott Joplin, who introduced him to music publisher John Stark. Stark published many of Scott’s compositions, including the famous “Frog Legs Rag.”
Scott’s career declined as motion pictures replaced theater. Despite setbacks, he continued to teach, compose, and lead an eight-member band until his death at 52 from dropsy.
9. Ben R. Harney (1872–1938)
In his early years, Benjamin Robertson Harney received formal piano training. However, as a teenager, he was more interested in the lively ragtime music from the saloons in Louisville.
This passion led him to start composing music. His early works, like “You Been a Good Old Wagon but You Done Broke Down” and “Cake Walk in the Sky,” gained recognition in the early 1890s.
In 1896, Harney moved to New York City. There, he performed and wrote Ben Harney’s Rag Time Instructor, a guide on ragtime music.
Despite his busy career, health issues cut his life short. He had a heart attack in 1928 and died from another heart attack a decade later at age 66.
10. Tom Turpin (1871–1922)
Born in Savannah, Georgia, in the early 1870s, Thomas Million John Turpin made a big impact on ragtime music. In his 20s, he opened a saloon that became a popular spot for ragtime artists.
He composed “Harlem Rag” in the 1890s, which was the first rag published by an African American musician. He also composed famous rags like “Ragtime Nightmare” and “St. Louis Rag” and was active in politics as a deputy constable in St. Louis.
Turpin died around 1922, but the details of his death are unclear. His contributions to ragtime music and his community are still remembered.
11. Fats Waller (1904–1943)
Lastly, we have Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller. Learning a love for music early from his musician mother, he was playing the piano by the time he was six; by 10, he was playing the organ.
At 16, he composed his first rag, showing his talent with tunes like “Muscle Shoals Blues” and “Birmingham Blues.”
Waller’s success grew, and in 1935, his song “A Little Bit Independent” topped Your Hit Parade for two weeks, and his song “Early to Bed” was a hit on Broadway.
Though he died suddenly from pneumonia in 1943 while on a cross-country tour, Waller’s career was filled with achievements.
Summing Up Our List Of Famous Ragtime Composers
As you can see, ragtime is a style of music that not only has an interesting history but also has powerful influences on other genres.
And while you probably have heard of Scott Joplin, some of the other ragtime composers on our list are ones that not many have heard of.
Are there any that you think we’ve missed? Let us know, and we’ll add them to our list of ragtime composers soon!
