Ragtime

[mojosmom]

I've just been to a lecture/performance at the University of Chicago, by Reginald Robinson, a MacArthur "genius grant" winner, and ragtime composer. Interesting guy! When he was in the 7th grade, and living in the projects on Chicago's West Side, a couple of musicians came to his school to talk about music "from Baroque to Bebop". When they played some ragtime, he was hooked. He taught himself to read music and play piano, has been composing since his early 'teens, and is on a mission to keep ragtime in the public ear (so to speak). He talked about the history of ragtime, the musicians who invented it and made it popular, and played a lot of tunes. If he ever comes around your town, try to go hear him.

Comments

[irascignavojo.livejournal.com]

Sounds great. My (older and only) brother introduced me to the history of Jazz and I liked ragtime instantly.

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I get so jealous, when I read all your entries about lecturs, ballet, the opera.... I miss all those cultural opportunities you get in a big city in the "real" world.