![]() By 1897, ragtime had become a national craze. In 1897, his first rag release, “Original Rags,” was released. His visit to Texas led to the publishing of three more pieces the following year. Around this time he also went to Syracuse, New York, and Texas, where two businessmen from the Big Apple published his first two releases, ‘Please Say You Will’ and ‘A Picture of Her Face’ in 1895. There he performed as a solo act at dances and major Black clubs in the region. ![]() The following year saw Joplin moving toward Sedalia, Missouri. The event is credited with playing a part in the spread of ragtime’s popularity. The exposition was met with a footfall of over 27 million visitors. The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair saw Joplin performing with a band he played cornet and arranged their music. He often played pre-ragtime ‘jig-piano’ in red light districts. He soon learned that there was little work for Black pianists in 19th-century America – churches and brothels were his only options for a steady income. ![]() He eventually gave up his job as a railway laborer to become a traveling musician. By the time he was 16, Joplin was in a vocal quartet and gave mandolin and guitar lessons. Growing up, Joplin received most of his musical education from Julius Weiss, a music professor who was employed by a local business family. When he turned seven, he was allowed to play the piano whilst his mother cleaned. The elder Joplin often played the violin and Givens sang and played the banjo, allowing the young Joplin to get a rudimentary education in music as a child. Giles Joplin worked as a railroad laborer and Florence Givens as a cleaner. Joplin was born in Texarkana, Texas to Giles Joplin and Florence Givens as their second child of six.
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