It's a shame more folks didn't turn out to hear a lively ragtime band from another state in concert at a local college last night. The band of seven older musicians is primarily a teaching group who will conduct workshops for school children today.
The group's leader noted that uniquely American syncopated ragtime music, originating in African-American communities, came into being around 1895 and was very popular until the dawn of the jazz era, about 1920.
Scott Joplin, known as the "King of Ragtime" is probably the most well-known ragtime composer/pianist. So of course the band played samples of his music, including, "The Entertainer," familiar to most of us as the theme music for the 1973 movie, "The Sting."
It was a very uplifting concert, especially enjoyed by a group of elderly folks from a local assisted living facility. One tiny, bent, and fragile-looking lady, who appeared to be at least 90 years old, accepted the band's invitation to audience members to dance in the aisles if they wished. Supported by her young, strong, female assistant, she stepped sprightly to two fast-paced tunes.
The rest of us just kept our seats, applauding that lady's courage and spunk, and enjoying the music.
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