Scott Joplin

The Columbia University professor and New York Times columnist traces the intersecting lines of race and music in American history.

Downes argues that Joplin should be known as more than just the 'King of Ragtime.'

On her new album, "Reflections: Scott Joplin Reconsidered," pianist Lara Downes shares 17 Joplin compositions in fresh arrangements.

Scott Joplin was born in Texas and became one of the most famous musicians in America by the turn of the century, only to die penniless and forgotten in 1917. His story is told on TPR Classical's African American Voices series.

The king of ragtime published his hit tune 120 years ago. Pianist Lara Downes believes the piece helped shape the future of American music.

If you want to start a fight at a ragtime concert, start mucking with the tempo of the music. YouTube videos are full of comments about how fast or slow…

We call something that is easily done a "cakewalk." But why? The surprising answer dates back to a dance popular among slaves and plantation owners in the pre-Civil War South.

While Scott Joplin was the king of ragtime, he had his heart set on writing opera. His only surviving score, Treemonisha, ends with a slow march that's "happy as a bird in June."