Scott JoplinScott Joplin

Born: ?Born: ?

Died: April 1, 1917Died: April 1, 1917

Early LifeEarly Life

Parents were former slavesParents were former slaves A lot of mystery to his early life since there is A lot of mystery to his early life since there is

no documentationno documentation Was born between June 1867 and mid-January Was born between June 1867 and mid-January

18681868 He was on the 1870 census as a two year oldHe was on the 1870 census as a two year old

Moved to Texarkana Moved to Texarkana

Musical CareerMusical Career

1891- first reported in the newspapers1891- first reported in the newspapers First published songs:First published songs:

Please Say You WillPlease Say You Will A Picture of Her FaceA Picture of Her Face

1899- 1899- The Maple Leaf RagThe Maple Leaf Rag Greatest and most famous of piano ragsGreatest and most famous of piano rags 1 cent royalty on each sale1 cent royalty on each sale

The Ragtime DanceThe Ragtime Dance A stage work for dancers and singing narratorA stage work for dancers and singing narrator

1901- 1901- Sunflower Slow DragSunflower Slow Drag Peacherine RagPeacherine Rag The Easy WinnersThe Easy Winners

1902-1902- The Strenuous LifeThe Strenuous Life (tribute to President Roosevelt) (tribute to President Roosevelt) A Breeze From AlabamaA Breeze From Alabama The EntertainerThe Entertainer

OperasOperas

A Guest of HonorA Guest of Honor (1903) (1903) Booker T Washington’s at President Roosevelt’s White Booker T Washington’s at President Roosevelt’s White

House in 1901House in 1901 Someone associated with the company stole the box office Someone associated with the company stole the box office

receipts and the tour ended with Joplin not being able to receipts and the tour ended with Joplin not being able to meet payroll. All of his possessions were confiscated. meet payroll. All of his possessions were confiscated. Copies of the score were never recovered. Copies of the score were never recovered.

TreemonishaTreemonisha (1911) (1911) The only educated member of her community leads her The only educated member of her community leads her

townspeople out of the bondage of ignorance and townspeople out of the bondage of ignorance and superstition. Proposing the view that racial equality would superstition. Proposing the view that racial equality would come with education.come with education.

Later YearsLater Years

Called “The King of Ragtime”Called “The King of Ragtime” Died on April 1, 1917 from syphilisDied on April 1, 1917 from syphilis Revival of his music in 1970sRevival of his music in 1970s

TreemonishaTreemonisha was successfully staged and finally was successfully staged and finally reached broadwayreached broadway

Joplin’s music was used in the movie Joplin’s music was used in the movie The StingThe Sting

What is Ragtime Music?What is Ragtime Music?

Ragtime- A style of jazz characterized by Ragtime- A style of jazz characterized by syncopated rhythm in the melody and a steady syncopated rhythm in the melody and a steady accompaniment. accompaniment.