American Jazz!
American Jazz originated from the southern United States, but based on the rhythm and vocals from Western Africa. This influenced African Americans during the Harlem Renaissance because it brought African Americans to to the northern cities known as Harlem. Scott Joplin(1868-1917) was the son of a slave who wrote Maple Lead Rag, which was America’s first pop hit. I enjoy Maple Lead Rag because it’s very uplifting unlike most music I hear. This song has a rhythm that makes you want to smile and dance. Anything musical that has that effect on you should be considered worth of listening to.
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Whenever I hear the opening to this song I think of a western saloon for some reason. The music is upbeat but at the same time I can hear a kind of smile through the pain sensation to it, like you said it was written by someone not too far removed from the travesty of slavery and I think that may show through in the notes. Its quick pace makes me think that even if it was meant to be happy it was also meant to convey the idea that happy moments go quickly and are gone before you know it. Maybe I am reading too much into the work. Did maple leaf rag inspire any of the other Jazz greats or was it just a spark in the pan? did Joplin see any real profit from his work or was he robbed of his earning like so many other early African American musicians?
I could have used a some more information on Joplin s work regarding where and when it was created and when it was released to the public. What were the other works in the Early Modern time period that connected to this one?