James scott ragtime biography of albert

James Sylvester Scott (Jr.) was the only major ragtime composer to grow up in southwestern Missouri, primarily in the Carthage area. Born in Neosho, Missouri, about halfway between Joplin and Carthage, he was one of seven children of former slave James Scott from North Carolina and his younger wife Mollie (Thomas) Scott from Texas.

While the younger James listed his birth year as in later years, including on his draft record, is more consistent with earlier records, including the Census in which year of birth was specifically listed rather than implied.

James scott ragtime biography of albert

His siblings included Lena (), Douglass (8/), Bessie (1/), Howard () and Oliver ().

James showed strong musical talent at an early age. His first musical exposure was from his untrained mother, but soon James received some early training in theory and sight-reading from a respected Neosho pianist, as well as private lessons in his teens with a black Carthage music teacher and saloon pianist, John Coleman.

Perfect pit