This video tells some of the highlights from the life of Scott Joplin. Colorful storyboards are used to tell the story, and the narration is included. The images are taken from the book, “The Strenuous Life of Scott Joplin” that I wrote a couple years ago. [Related: “The Strenuous Life of Scott Joplin” on Amazon]…
Tag: ragtime
The Story of A Guest of Honor
When studying history in school, I presumed events happened in a neat and orderly fashion, just as they were presented in the textbooks. Turn the page, and read about something. Turn the page, and read about what happened next. History, I thought, was a simple and direct parade of one thing following another. I was…
February 16, 1903: A Guest of Honor
In 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt made a politically bold decision when he invited African-American leader Booker T. Washington to have dinner with the Roosevelt’s at the White House. People of color worked in the White House but never before had an African-American man been an invited guest to dinner. Roosevelt received support and rebuke for…
Scott Joplin and the Square Piano
Have you ever had piano lessons? Maybe you are taking piano lessons now. What kind of piano keyboard do you have? A few people have a lovely grand piano. These wonderful instruments are also found in concert halls, churches and schools…that have the SPACE for them. An upright, or vertical, piano is more common in…