Edward C, Barroll: Bear Tracks

Phillip Sear plays a 1930 'Modern Piano Solo' by the saxophonist, composer and journalist Edward C. Barroll (1882–1933).
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Born in Fredericktown, Madison, Missouri, Barroll active during the late ragtime era, and particularly noted for his contributions to the genre in the 1920s and 1930s. He produced a series of piano rags that captured the transitional spirit between classic ragtime and emerging jazz influences, often featuring lively syncopation and playful titles reflective of the period's popular culture. His most celebrated work, "The Piggly-Wiggle" (c. 1920s), gained particular renown among saxophonists for its energetic strains and idiomatic phrasing, establishing it as a staple in instrumental repertoire.

Beyond composition, Barroll engaged with musical discourse through journalism, notably penning the article "Fixing the Blame for 'Jazz'" in Metronome magazine (September 1922), where he explored the origins and cultural impact of jazz as an evolution from ragtime roots. While not as prolific as pioneers like Scott Joplin, Barroll's output included numerous rags that appeared in sheet music catalogues and reflected the commercial ragtime scene of his time. His dual career in music and writing positioned him as a commentator on America's syncopated music evolution.

In his later years, Barroll organised and trained the all-female Ozark Saxophone Choir, an innovative concept for the time.

Thumbnail image by Grok Imagine
#americanmusic #ragtime
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Played by Phillip Sear
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