Turpin
was a black saloon owner in St. Louis, who also was a well-known pianist.
He was friends with Joplin and other early rag composers. Turpin opened
his first bar in St. Louis, and it was there in 1897 that he wrote "Harlem
Rag," the first published instrumental rag by an African-American composer.
Soon, Turpin wasn't operating a bustling bar; he was running a major entertainment
complex, the Rosebud Bar, in St. Louis. In the Rosebud's wine room, ragtime
pianists noodled away, creating a form that is still vital today. "St.
Louis Rag" was written for the St. Louis Fair (which was delayed until
1904).
Turpin
was a black saloon owner in St. Louis, who also was a well-known pianist.
He was friends with Joplin and other early rag composers. Turpin opened
his first bar in St. Louis, and it was there in 1897 that he wrote "Harlem
Rag," the first published instrumental rag by an African-American composer.
Soon, Turpin wasn't operating a bustling bar; he was running a major entertainment
complex, the Rosebud Bar, in St. Louis. In the Rosebud's wine room, ragtime
pianists noodled away, creating a form that is still vital today. "St.
Louis Rag" was written for the St. Louis Fair (which was delayed until
1904).
