Folk ragtime: History and Key Facts

Folk ragtime is a subgenre of ragtime, a distinctly American music. It is sometimes referred to as a "school" of ragtime, or "strains" of ragtime.

It is thought to have originated with illiterate itinerant African American piano players, who learned the syncopated music not formally, but through their peers. Folk Ragtime as a form stayed active until the early 1920s, when young America shifted its attention to early jazz. It was later revived, beginning in 1947 with the 'rediscovery' of Sanford Brunson Campbell (March 20, 1884 - November 23, 1952), who was one of the most noted folk ragtimers and a student of Scott Joplin.

Later came, in the early 1960s, the then foremost authority on Folk Ragtime, Trebor Jay Tichenor (1940-2014). Another exponent of folk ragtime was Thomas Shea (November 14, 1931 - March 12, 1982); his music is sometimes referred to as "prairie ragtime."

Source and attribution

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