Scott Joplin – 1868-1917

Joplin was an African- American pianist and composer, who was repeatedly frustrated in his efforts to be recognized as a “serious” composer, but who created classic piano rags of great beauty, including “Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.” His ragtime opera of 1911, Treemonisha, was not performed until 1972, long after his death. Ragtime, a highly syncopated precursor to jazz, fell out of favor until its revival in the 1970s—when Joplin’s contribution to American music became widely recognized.