Cotton States Rag (1910)..Annie Ford McKnight.

The composer of this tune doesn't feature in the pantheon of well known ragtime composers. She was a music teacher and this is her only published composition which is a pity as this is good tune with some interesting syncopation. The final part is very reminiscent of the A flat section of Morley's Dark Town Dandies.It makes use of 1/8 rests to give it a nice staccato  rhythm. The score and midi are in the library...Steve.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dary on November 23, 2018 at 17:14

Great work once again, Steve!

interesting to find a piece by a female composer!  Where did you find it?

Your output shames me.  I have some projects in mind but that's about all they are at present.  I also told Ian I'd scan a book I came across with which he was not familiar; haven't even started (a book of songs with banjo accompaniment).  It happens to be snowing right now, our first of the season, so maybe I'll get activated!

Thanks for your additions to the literature!

Permalink Reply by Steve Harrison on November 24, 2018 at 23:03

Hi Randy, there are numerous websites dedicated to ragtime and early jazz music, many of which include the musical scores and/or a midi or MP3. Also many of the US universities have excellent online historical music archives and there's also the Library of Congress. I have most of the best ones stored on my favourites list and it's a matter of having the patience to spend time trawling through them. Each time, I always manage to find some gem that I haven't seen or heard before. At present I have around 20 arrangements in various stages of completion sitting on my desktop and I work on them whenever I have a few spare minutes. I've now passed the 500 mark and my most recent is number 504...Steve.
Randy Dary said:

Great work once again, Steve!

interesting to find a piece by a female composer!  Where did you find it?

Your output shames me.  I have some projects in mind but that's about all they are at present.  I also told Ian I'd scan a book I came across with which he was not familiar; haven't even started (a book of songs with banjo accompaniment).  It happens to be snowing right now, our first of the season, so maybe I'll get activated!

Thanks for your additions to the literature!

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