IN Focus: Scott Joplin (c. November 24, 1868 – April 1, 1917)
Scott Joplin was the “King of Ragtime,” a classically trained pianist and composer whose innovative music laid the groundwork for jazz, swing, and even hip-hop. Born in 1868 in Texas to formerly enslaved parents, Joplin fused European musical structure with African American syncopation to create a uniquely American sound.
His 1899 composition, Maple Leaf Rag, became one of the most influential pieces of sheet music in history, and his opera Treemonisha—though underappreciated in his lifetime—proved that Black stories belonged on the classical stage. Joplin’s genius was both technical and emotional, blending discipline with improvisation in a way that was radically ahead of its time.
Despite racism and financial hardship, Joplin pursued artistic excellence with relentless ambition, reshaping the soundscape of America even as institutions refused him a seat at the table.
Honor the Legacy. Wear the Story. Grab the "Scott Joplin is INerasable" t-shirt from our Legacy Collection—honor history and celebrate resilience.
INerasable: Scott Joplin's Legacy
He composed freedom into the fabric of American music. Scott Joplin is INerasable because he created a new language of rhythm that still speaks today.
His music was not just entertainment—it was liberation. At a time when Black composers were denied access to concert halls and conservatories, Joplin published, performed, and preserved the beauty of Black genius.
Today, his melodies are everywhere—from university music curricula to hip-hop samples—but many still don’t know his name. We’re here to correct that.
He is INerasable because his art was elegant rebellion. He didn’t just play notes—he rearranged culture.
Art IN Context: Art Nouveau and Ornamental Innovation
Scott Joplin is rendered in the Art Nouveau style—a movement defined by its curving lines, musical symmetry, and celebration of natural beauty. Art Nouveau emerged around the same time as Ragtime, making it a perfect visual companion to Joplin’s sonic revolution.
In this portrait, whiplash curves mimic musical staves, and botanical motifs curl like piano melodies. His figure is framed in golden tones and fluid flourishes, placing him in the company of artisans and masters—not minstrel caricatures.
Art Nouveau, often associated with elegance and refinement, reclaims Joplin as the sophisticated artist he was. The visual echoes his music: structured yet lyrical, ornate yet grounded. It shows that his genius didn’t come from novelty—it came from mastery.
IN Depth: Resources to Learn More
Books & Articles
- King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era – Edward A. Berlin
A comprehensive and scholarly biography that examines Joplin’s music, life, and cultural legacy as the father of ragtime.
➤ https://global.oup.com/academic/product/king-of-ragtime-9780195087396 - National Museum of African American History and Culture – Scott Joplin Feature
A concise overview of Joplin's career and his influence on American music.
➤ https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/collection/scott-joplin-king-ragtime - Library of Congress – Scott Joplin Biography
Brief but authoritative biography with historical context, linking Joplin's work to America’s broader musical heritage.
➤ https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200038834/
Archives
- Scott Joplin Collection – Library of Congress
Digital archive featuring Joplin’s sheet music, correspondence, and rare recordings.
➤ https://www.loc.gov/collections/scott-joplin/about-this-collection/ - Scott Joplin House State Historic Site – Missouri Department of Natural Resources
A preserved site and historical resource celebrating the life and home of Joplin in St. Louis.
➤ https://mostateparks.com/park/scott-joplin-house-state-historic-site
Multimedia
- Scott Joplin: King of Ragtime – PBS American Experience Short
A well-produced video that presents Joplin’s life, struggles, and posthumous recognition.
➤ https://www.pbs.org/video/scott-joplin-king-ragtime-tjvf4n/ - Treemonisha (Full Opera) – YouTube Performance by Paragon Ragtime Orchestra
Joplin’s visionary opera, long lost and later revived—exploring themes of education and empowerment.
➤ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CK3FBIwS8 - Scott Joplin Playlist – Smithsonian Folkways
An audio collection of Joplin's compositions and their cultural impact.
➤ https://folkways.si.edu/search?query=scott+joplin
Exploring Art Styles (Art Nouveau)
- Art Nouveau Movement – The Art Story
Overview of the style’s ornamental elegance, which mirrors the structured lyricism of Joplin’s ragtime compositions.
➤ https://www.theartstory.org/movement/art-nouveau/ - Art Nouveau Explained – Victoria & Albert Museum
A beautifully curated history of Art Nouveau’s sweeping curves, flowing lines, and decorative influence—ideal for visualizing Joplin's melodic innovation.
➤ https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/art-nouveau
IN tune. IN rhythm. INerasable.
