So, who was Scott Joplin, exactly? Born in 1868 in Texas, Joplin was an African-American composer and pianist who rose to fame in the late 1800s and early 1900s. His music was a unique blend of classical, jazz, and folk influences, which might sound a bit like a recipe for something amazing - and trust me, it is!
But what's ragtime music, you might ask? It's a style of music that's characterized by its syncopated rhythms and complex harmonies, which creates a really cool, laid-back vibe. Imagine a mix of jazz, blues, and classical music, and you're getting close to the sound of ragtime - it's like the grandfather of jazz, if you will.