Speaking of great composers of African descent and omitting Scott Joplin would be a grave error. This man, one of the great ragtime composers, exemplifies musical creolization (march, classical, African-American cakewalks, Cuban danzon, minstrel) that paved the way for jazz. Although he was never recorded, his compositions were widely hailed and influential for future developments in syncopated music. Joplin also left the world an opera, "Treemonisha," partly inspired by the life of his second wife and based on the African-American experience. Although the opera flopped, and the ragtime elements were only present in dance scenes, he was pushing the limits of the genre and dabbling in art music. In addition, the numerous similarites of Joplin's compositions with contemporary dance music of Cuba reveals the links between dance music of the African diaspora reflecting similar European influences. Last but certainly not least, Afro-American cakewalk and black-influenced ragtime appealed to European composers of the 1890s and early 1900s, too. Anywho, check out my ragtime playlist on Youtube here.
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