They All Played Ragtime

by Rudi Blesh, Harriet Janis

Examines the history, charm, and revival of ragtime in addition to providing comprehensive listings of musical compositions and player-piano rolls

Genres: Music, Jazz, Nonfiction

347 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[Rene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a novel, it is a reference book. It describes the development of ragtime music. However, the book is so filled of facts that it is difficult to read.
Nevertheless there is hardly a fact about Ragtime music that cannot be found in this book. It contains a vaste reference section with literature and music references at the end. Of course this secion is dated, the book being from 1971. 
All this put together I give it three stars in 2014. It still is the standard work on this music, after all.

[Djll · Rating 5 out of 5]

In some respects this book is pretty out of date, being based on research done in the 1930s-1950s. But precisely for that same reason, it captures voices of musicians far beyond the reach of today's historians. A wholly sympathetic portrait of the composers and piano-players who created ragtime and the mass-market industry that sprang up around them.

[Dan Souvigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great tribute to America's greatest music.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting... lots of detail on the early ragtime players.