Black History MonthBlack History Month
February is Black History Month – a February is Black History Month – a celebration of the struggles, victories, celebration of the struggles, victories, and contributions of African Americans. and contributions of African Americans. It’s a time to remember the important It’s a time to remember the important people and events that have influenced people and events that have influenced America. America.
Carter G. Woodson began the tradition in Carter G. Woodson began the tradition in 1926 by celebrating Black History Week 1926 by celebrating Black History Week because it was marked by the birthdays because it was marked by the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.Douglass.
Famous Black ComposersFamous Black Composers
Ragtime MusicRagtime Music
Ragtime MusicRagtime Music
• Very popular in the late 19Very popular in the late 19thth and early and early 2020thth century century
• Required a great deal of musical skillRequired a great deal of musical skill• Music pieces were composed to show Music pieces were composed to show
difficulty (sophisticated)difficulty (sophisticated)
Ragtime Music Cont’dRagtime Music Cont’d
• Music was “jazzy” or “raggedy” Music was “jazzy” or “raggedy” soundingsounding
• Considered by some to be the first style Considered by some to be the first style of music developed in the United Statesof music developed in the United States
• Major influence on early jazzMajor influence on early jazz• Composed with Syncopated rhythmComposed with Syncopated rhythm
SyncopationSyncopation
• Was often seen in African-American Was often seen in African-American musicmusic
• Rhythm was brought from AfricaRhythm was brought from Africa• Slaves often added it to familiar tunesSlaves often added it to familiar tunes• Syncopation is any rhythm that puts an Syncopation is any rhythm that puts an
emphasis on a weak beatemphasis on a weak beat
Ernest HoganErnest Hogan
• Born Ernest Reuben CrowdersBorn Ernest Reuben Crowders• 1865-19091865-1909• First African American to produce and First African American to produce and
star in a Broadway showstar in a Broadway show• Credited with creating Ragtime MusicCredited with creating Ragtime Music
Shep EdmondsShep Edmonds
• 1876-19571876-1957• Was a Performer/SongwriterWas a Performer/Songwriter• First African American to start a music First African American to start a music
publishing company (Named Attacks publishing company (Named Attacks Music Company for Crispus Attacks)Music Company for Crispus Attacks)
• He published music of many other black He published music of many other black ragtime composers.ragtime composers.
Scott JoplinScott Joplin
• 1867?-19171867?-1917• From Sedalia, MissouriFrom Sedalia, Missouri• Probably the most well known rag-time Probably the most well known rag-time
composer.composer.• Songs include The Maple Leaf Rag and Songs include The Maple Leaf Rag and
The EntertainerThe Entertainer
Eubie BlakeEubie Blake
• 1887-1983, lived in Baltimore, MD 1887-1983, lived in Baltimore, MD • He was one of the most important He was one of the most important
figures in early 20figures in early 20th th century American century American musicmusic
• Wrote the Broadway musical “Shuffle Wrote the Broadway musical “Shuffle Along” in 1921 – one of the first Along” in 1921 – one of the first Broadway musicals ever to be written Broadway musicals ever to be written and directed by an African Americanand directed by an African American
James Reese EuropeJames Reese Europe
• 1881-19191881-1919• He was a leading figure in ragtime music and He was a leading figure in ragtime music and
early jazzearly jazz• Bandleader, arranger, and composerBandleader, arranger, and composer• Led his band at a concert at Carnegie Hall in Led his band at a concert at Carnegie Hall in
19121912• Bandleader for Vernon & Irene Castle, Bandleader for Vernon & Irene Castle,
headline dancers responsible for pioneering headline dancers responsible for pioneering the Fox Trotthe Fox Trot
Ragtime and DancingRagtime and Dancing
““The Charleston,” a ragtime song, The Charleston,” a ragtime song, inspired a dance craze that stormed inspired a dance craze that stormed America. This dance was developed in America. This dance was developed in black communities like those in black communities like those in Charleston, SC which is the city the Charleston, SC which is the city the song was named for. The dance song was named for. The dance spread to become popular world-wide. spread to become popular world-wide.
In Summary….In Summary….
Ragtime music was the first type of music Ragtime music was the first type of music that was completely developed in the that was completely developed in the United States. It led to jazz and other United States. It led to jazz and other forms of popular and modern music we forms of popular and modern music we enjoy today. These were all influenced enjoy today. These were all influenced by those early black ragtime by those early black ragtime composers. composers.
Sound clips from: Sound clips from: http://www.eadcentral.com/go/1/1/0/httphttp://www.eadcentral.com/go/1/1/0/http://www.trachtman.org/ragtime/://www.trachtman.org/ragtime/
Information and pictures from Library of Information and pictures from Library of Congress: Congress: http://www.loc.gov/index.htmlhttp://www.loc.gov/index.html
Other information from:Other information from:
http://cnx.org/content/m10878/latest/http://cnx.org/content/m10878/latest/
