Oct 2nd, 2008 · For his follow-up to 2004's Of What Lies Beneath, Austin, TX resident Dan Dyer draws from gospel, Bossa Nova and even ragtime for a contemporary homage of pulsating grooves. His selt-titled sophomore release, which dropped in late August, begins with the soulful "Love Chain," featuring members of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir backing Dyer's own Stevie Wonder-inspired tenor. It's a passionate and stunning opener, showcasing much of the musical styles Dyer grew up on.
Keywords: Danes · residents · contemporary · music · 2004 · soul · TX · gospel · Austin · passion · ragtime · bossa
Jul 26th, 2008 · When people think of the player piano, they usually think of Sting-era ragtime music. But during that era, a composer named Conlon Nancarrow created incredibly intricate pieces for the player piano that sound like a turn-of-the-century roadhouse gone berserk.
Keywords: music · players · era · Composing · melodies · ragtime · intricate · Conlon · roadhouse · emSt · Nancarrow · Conlon Nancarrow
Jun 11th, 2008 · The pianist was well-known for his flamboyant behavior, ever-present cigar, and trademark derby hat. But in front of the keys, he was also a leading purveyor of the ragtime-based style called Harlem Stride.
Keywords: cigar · Smiths · pianist · trademark · lions · ragtime · Willie · Derby · flamboyant · Harlem Stride
Aug 19th, 2007 · Max Magee, creator of the literary blog The Millions, talks about his summer reading picks. They include Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow and Pastoralia by George Saunders.
Keywords: modern · creators · novel · literary · Bloggers · ragtime · George Saunders · Doctorow · E.L · Blog · Max Magee · The Millions
Apr 18th, 2006 · Scott Joplin was once among America's most popular songwriters. The son of a former slave, his Ragtime music swept the nation more than 100 years ago.
Keywords: national · slave · America · music · songs · songwriter · Joplin · ragtime · Scott Joplin
Jan 17th, 2006 · In the first of a two-part conversation, Farai Chideya talks with fiction writer Tananarive Due. Her latest novel, Joplin's Ghost, tells the story of a rising R&B singer and how her life changes after she encounters the ghost of ragtime king Scott Joplin.
Keywords: Kings · fictional · Writer · Singer · novel · Tananarive · Farai Chideya · Tananarive Due · RB · Joplin · ragtime · Scott Joplin
Sep 28th, 2004 · The MacArthur Foundation announces this year's winners of "genius grants," $500,000 awards -- with no strings attached -- that recognize exceptional creativity. The 23 recipients include a ragtime pianist and a human rights activist. NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Michele Norris speak with five of the winners.
Keywords: Robert Siegel · Michele Norris · Activist · Awards · winners · Rights · human · recipient · exception · pianist · stringed · genius
Jun 28th, 2004 · E.L. Doctorow became famous with his 1975 best-seller Ragtime. The author says voracious reading and the ever-present music of his youth helped nurture his talent for turning a phrase and honing a tale. He speaks with NPR's Susan Stamberg for Intersections, a series on artists' inspirations.
Keywords: artists · seller · music · famous · writing · youth · readings · inspiration · talented · rhythm · 1975 · ragtime
