Tom Turpin (1922)
A pianist and saloon owner in St. Louis, Tom Turpin wrote “The Harlem Rag” (1897), the first ragtime published by an African American composer.
Tom Turpin settled in St. Louis, Missouri, a major ragtime centre at the end of the 19th century. He ran establishments there, including the Rosebud Café, where the city’s pianists gathered.
In 1897 he published The Harlem Rag, considered the first published rag by an African American composer. He later wrote other rags, including The St. Louis Rag (1903).
More than for the number of his works, Turpin matters for his role as a mentor: he encouraged and hosted many St. Louis ragtime pianists. He died there in 1922.
His writing is more direct and more “saloon piano” than Joplin’s: vigorous rhythms, energetic syncopation, a strong bass. A good step before the more refined rags.
Piano sheet music (2)
- The Harlem Rag · level 5
- The St. Louis Rag · level 6