School of Syncopation - Jazz, Stride, Novelties & the Like

[fhimpsl]

More novelty piano solos by Harry Jentes.

Frank

Jentes - Rainbow Waltz.pdf

Jentes - Smiles And Kisses.pdf

Jentes - Spell Of The Bayou.pdf

Jentes - Tricky Trix.pdf

Jentes - Twinkles.pdf

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Two earlier ragtime compositions by Harry Jentes. Note that "Soup & Fish Rag" was co-authored by piano roll giant Pete Wendling.

Frank

Jentes - Rhapsody Rag.pdf

Jentes - Soup & Fish Rag.pdf

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Edward B. Claypoole is another composer whose career spanned from the ragtime era through the 1950s. His biggest hit was "Ragging The Scale," but he wrote many compositions a good deal more interesting.

Frank

Claypoole - Alabama Jigger.pdf

Claypoole - American Jubilee Rag.pdf

Claypoole - Bouncing On The Keys.pdf

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Additional novelty piano solos by Edward B. Claypoole. Note that his "Changes" originally started out life as a rag "Echoes Unique" - one of his most imaginative compositions.

Frank

Claypoole - Changes.pdf

Claypoole - Echoes Unique.pdf

Claypoole - Gay Birds.pdf

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Additional novelty piano solos composed by Edward B. Claypoole>......

Frank

Claypoole - Jazzapation.pdf

Claypoole - Lawn Party.pdf

Claypoole - Oriental Fantasy.pdf

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More novelty piano solos by Mr. Claypoole...

Frank

Claypoole - Shades Of Blue.pdf

Claypoole - Skidding.pdf

Claypoole - Slap-Happy.pdf

Claypoole - Snow In The Morning.pdf

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and the balance of novelty piano solos composed by Edward B. Claypoole:

Frank

Claypoole - Tapping On Ivory.pdf

Claypoole - Waltzing Jim.pdf

Claypoole - Zaza.pdf

[gigiranalli]

Dear Frank,
thanks so much for these fantastic pieces of Harry Jentes and Ed Claypoole!!!
I had some of them, but there I find also several titles that are unknown to me, and they look great!!!
Is this "Echoes Unique Rag" the same that was recorded on piano roll by Ted Eastwood? I'm looking at the sheet music and it seems to be the same.
Today I'm sending the recordings of Arthur Marshall and Chauff Williams from the 1959 concert hosted by Bob Darch.
These recordings were taped by Trebor Tichenor.
Both Marshall and Williams were friends of Scott Joplin and they're both great examples of folk ragtime piano.
I have already posted another great example of folk ragtime piano with the three recordings of Euday Bowman.
The two recordings played by Arthur Marshall are the trio of the then unknown "Little Jack's Rag" (I also post the score of this rag, first published in Terry Waldo's "This Is Ragtime", a precious book!) and another Marshall rag, never published, entitled "The Pea Picker Rag": this unknown rag is my very favorite Marshall composition!
And Marshall, in spite of the stroke, was still able to provide two exciting performances and was still very bouncing and raggy in his ragtime piano playing.
Then there are other two zip files, each including a recording played by Claude "Chauf" Williams and the introduction to the pieces. I numbered the Williams MP3s because they're part of the same interview with Bob Darch and should be listened in that order.
Williams was born in 1886 in Sedalia and is another great folk ragtime pianist of the origins. Fortunately he was still very strong at that age and, apart from his great piano playing, he was also able to entertain the public with his reminiscences. Let's listen to the intro to the song "Mame", which he played and sang, and the story of the song, used to court girls. It's very humorous
Then, listen to the great "Williams' Rag" (maybe the neatest recording in this set), a romping folk rag played in Chicago, and pay attention to the next-to-last strain, in which he plays the melody with octave runs in the left hand: that strain is Williams' version of a strain also used by Les Copeland as the second strain in "French Pastry Rag" (see my transcription of the Copeland piano roll).
I understand that folk ragtime is not for all tastes, but I think it's very important to listen to these recordings, as well as Euday Bowman's, as an example of how ragtime sounded in the beginnings.
If you think to rags like "X.L. Rag", "Robardina Rag", "Rags To Burn", "Maple Leaf Rag", "Texas Rag", etc...listening to these pianists like Marshall, Williams, Brun Campbell or Euday Bowman can give you an idea of how such pieces sounded when they were originally played in the early 1900s.
We all must be very grateful to Trebor Tichenor, the great folk ragtime composer, pianist and scholar, for having recorded this invaluable ragtime document!!!
Enjoy the music!
Best RAGards
Luigi
P.S.
Oh, I'm also attaching a rare song written in 1948 by Arthur Marshall!
P.P.S.
I don't have a copy of the Darch performance of "Swipesy" from this concert, but I do have the version he played right in that period for his wondeful "Ragtime Piano" LP. If there's enough interest, I'd be happy to post the recording. Darch was a fantastic revival ragtime pianist!!!

[fhimpsl]

Dear Luigi,
You've related an outstanding piece of ragtime history in grand style! I am glad you posted the Arthur Marshall 1959 recordings, because they should be more widely known. When folks are listening to these tapes they need to keep in mind that these old gentlemen not only KNEW Scott Joplin, they were close personal friends with him. Looking back in time, to an era which we will never see again.
You are quite welcome for the Jentes and Claypoole....I plan to post a lot of novelty piano solo music and ragtime for the membership to enjoy. Tracking down these sheets took the better part of a lifetime, and I
am happy they are archived here on PianoPhilia.
Also..you are correct, the Claypoole composition "Echoes Unique" is the same tune which Ted Eastwood recorded for the Aeolian Company (Universal, Uni-Record and Metro-Art labels).
Thanks again and we'll keep the rags rolling along!
All Best,
Frank

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Pauline Alpert was known as the "Whirlwind Pianist." She recorded many 78rpm records (Victor, Sonora, Pilotone) and piano rolls (DuoArt and MelODee labels). She also composed a number of novelty piano solos. Pauline's "Dream Of A Doll" was her theme song, and playing through it one will hear quite an influence from British pianist Billy Mayerl. Pauline Alpert was also a radio personality for many years.

Frank

Alpert - Dream Of A Doll.pdf

Alpert - Ivory Tips.pdf