More advanced players could make their livelihood playing in the community in a wide variety of settings. Many adults learned to sight read and play the piano with sheet music. Before radio, sheet music was the primary way to access these exciting new musical creations of the day at home. It was a piece of technology, a vehicle of distribution for cultural expression. The piano was not only a musical instrument during this time.

Photo courtesy of Louisiana State Museum Jazz Collection. Many of these places enjoyed music night after night with just a single pianist.Įntertainment in Storyville, New Orleans red-light district, 1902-1903. The music developed in gambling houses, pool halls, saloons, and brothels in a young America where industry was booming, and merriment prevailed. It arose through the creative expressions of African Americans in the late 19th century and evolved to take on unique forms throughout the early 20th century. Ragtime’s history is an important part of the social history of the United States.

The joyful and rhythmic melodies billowing from the pianos are the early sounds of ragtime, the grassroots music that was new and quickly developing throughout the nation. A feeling of amusement and spontaneity is in the air. The streets buzz with activity as music emanates from the many saloons and sporting houses. Donley explores the context of ragtime’s evolution in American culture, and why it is such a distinctly American musical form that is counted amongst the vast innovations that shaped our country today. This post is contributed by Patrick Donley, music advisor to the Driehaus Museum. MacArthur Award for his innovative ragtime piano works and music research. In 2004 he was awarded the rare and distinguished John D. Robinson is a steward of the ragtime tradition, interpreting classic ragtime compositions as well as composing his own. Robinson will perform a program of ragtime compositions, followed by a screening of the silent Charlie Chaplin film, The Rink, with live piano accompaniment. Chicago ragtime composer and pianist Reginald R. Murphy Memorial Auditorium, the adjacent space recently added to the Museum’s blueprint. June 2022 marks the 14th birthday of the Driehaus Museum, and on June 25th the Museum will host its first public program in the John B. Ragtime: A Great American Innovation June 15, 2022

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