A selection of the best ragtime artists. Ragtime is a joyful, soulful style of music. If you're looking for the pinnacle of ragtime tunes and talent, this compilation is where to start! Featuring the best of the best in ragtime songwriting and performances, it's certain to be the highlight of your collection. Stunning piano lines with precise accompaniment are hallmarks of the artists featured here. Prepare to be swept away by their musicality so masterfully showcased in these classic songs interpreted by today's stars.
Take a Ride Through History with The Very Best of Ragtime Music Music has the power to transport us to places we have never been and to times long gone. When it comes to retro tunes, ragtime music is one genre that always gets us tapping our feet and humming along to its upbeat tempo. Ragtime music dates back to the turn of the 20th century and became popularized in the United States during the early 1900s. This incredibly fun and distinctly American musical style has a lot more than just happy tunes going on! In this blog, we take a closer look at the very best of ragtime music. Let's get started! Ragtime music became a staple of American pop culture during the early 1900s, with its syncopated rhythms and joyous melodies captivating the hearts of people from all over the country. The genre gets its name from the ragged or syncopated rhythms that often lend themselves to being danced to. The piano is the quintessential instrument used for playing ragtime, although it is not uncommon to hear ragtime guitar or trumpet solos too. Some of the most famous ragtime songs include the Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin, which was published in 1899, and The Entertainer, which you might remember from the movie The Sting. Both of these compositions by Joplin are still just as popular today as they were over a century ago. Ragtime music is so special because it takes the listener on a journey through time, reminding us of America’s history and development. Its syncopated rhythms and distinctive melodies are the perfect embodiment of the colorful and chaotic journey that America has had as a nation. Some of the greatest ragtime artists include Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Eubie Blake and James Scott. Joplin is often referred to as the King of Ragtime while Morton, considered one of the biggest ragtime luminaries, was one of the pioneers of the New Orleans Style of jazz. Eubie Blake is one of the earliest jazz and ragtime pioneers, while James Scott, another ragtime icon, is known for his charming and lilting waltzes. In terms of specific albums and compilations, you can’t go wrong with the 1970 album The Entertainer by Joshua Rifkin or the 1980s-era Red Back Book by Scott Joplin. The Maple Leaf Rag can be found on these albums along with other classic ragtime tunes such as The Entertainer and Solace. Ragtime music is unarguably one of the most important genres of American music. It has left a profound mark on popular music and continues to be listened to and enjoyed to this day. Its syncopated rhythms and distinctive staccato style continue to inspire the music we hear today, making it a truly timeless genre. As we listen to famous ragtime hits from years gone by, it is easy to get lost in the sounds of the piano, imagining ourselves floating on a riverboat down the Mississippi, or dancing in an old-timey Oklahoma saloon. So, let’s honor the titans of ragtime and their music, and take another ride through history with The Very Best of Ragtime Music. Ragtime music is unarguably one of the most important genres of American music. It has left a profound mark on popular music and continues to be listened to and enjoyed to this day. Its syncopated rhythms and distinctive staccato style continue to inspire the music we hear today, making it a truly timeless genre. As we listen to famous ragtime hits from years gone by, it is easy to get lost in the sounds of the piano, imagining ourselves floating on a riverboat down the Mississippi, or dancing in an old-timey Oklahoma saloon. So, let’s honor the titans of ragtime and their music, and take another ride through history with The Very Best of Ragtime Music.