The Most Famous Ragtime Composer, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the composer you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 4, 2024 07:12

In the lively corridors of a musical era filled with distinctly syncopated rhythms, the ragtime composers carved out a niche that forever altered the course of music history. Their contributions, brimming with lively melodies and rhythmic innovations, sparked a movement that resonated from smoky jazz clubs to grand concert halls. However, determining who stands out the most in this influential group can stir quite the debate among enthusiasts and historians alike. This list serves as a dynamic census of genius, where the legacies of these musical pioneers are continuously ranked based on your votes. By participating, you help to highlight those whose compositions not only defined but also propelled the genre into the cultural spotlight. Your input directly influences who rises to the top as the definitive connoisseur of ragtime melody, offering a fresh perspective with each new vote.

Who Is the Most Famous Ragtime Composer?

1

70
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin - widely considered the "King of Ragtime" and composer of iconic pieces such as "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag."
2

24
votes

anonymous · Public domain

James Scott

James Scott - known for his intricate and lively compositions, including "Frog Legs Rag" and "Grace and Beauty."
3

27
votes

Photographer not credited. · Public domain

Jelly Roll Morton

Jelly Roll Morton is a pioneer of early jazz and blues, Morton's ragtime compositions were innovative and influential, such as "King Porter Stomp" and "Black Bottom Stomp."
4

14
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Eubie Blake

Eubie Blake is a prolific composer and pianist, Blake was known for his lively and joyful ragtime pieces, including "Charleston Rag" and "Fizz Water."
5

10
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Joseph Lamb

Joseph Lamb - considered one of the "Big Three" of ragtime composers alongside Joplin and Scott, Lamb's works were known for their intricate harmonies and intricate rhythms, such as "The Ragtime Nightingale" and "American Beauty Rag."
6

8
votes

Tom Turpin

Tom Turpin - an important figure in the development of St. Louis-style ragtime, Turpin's compositions were lively and syncopated, including "Harlem Rag" and "St. Louis Rag."
7

3
votes

Unnamed photographer for Bain News Service · Public domain

Zez Confrey

Zez Confrey is a composer and arranger who blended elements of classical music with ragtime, Confrey's best-known work is "Kitten on the Keys."
8

11
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Charles L. Johnson

Charles L. Johnson is a prolific composer of ragtime and early jazz, Johnson's works were characterized by their catchy melodies and driving rhythms, such as "Dill Pickles" and "The Dream Rag."
9

8
votes

Artie Matthews

Artie Matthews - known for his syncopated and lively rags, Matthews' best-known composition is "Pastime Rag No. 1."
10

7
votes

Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

George Botsford

George Botsford is a composer and arranger who blended elements of ragtime and early jazz, Botsford's best-known piece is "Black and White Rag."

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Ranking factors for famous composer

Historical Significance

The impact and influence a composer had on the development of Ragtime music and its cultural context. 2. Popularity and Commercial Success: The composer's level of recognition and success during their time, as well as their enduring popularity and recognition in subsequent years. 3. Composition Catalog: The quality, depth, and variety of the composer's work, including the number of notable compositions they produced. 4. Innovations and Style: The extent to which a composer pushed the boundaries of Ragtime music, introduced new techniques, or developed a unique personal style. 5. Legacy and Cultural Impact: The lasting impact and influence a composer's work has had on subsequent generations of musicians and the broader Ragtime genre.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Ragtime composer. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Composer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1309 views
173 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Composer once every 24 hours. The rank of each Composer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous ragtime composer

Ragtime music is a genre that originated in African American communities in the late 19th century. This upbeat style of music is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and use of piano as the primary instrument. During its peak in popularity in the early 20th century, many talented composers emerged, but one name stands out above the rest: Scott Joplin. Known as the "King of Ragtime," Joplin's compositions, such as "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer," are still beloved today and have been featured in numerous films and television shows. While other notable ragtime composers include James Scott and Joseph Lamb, Joplin's impact on the genre is undeniable and continues to influence musicians to this day.