Constellation Similarity Assertions

Joplin, Scott, 1868-1917

Scott Joplin was born in either  1867 or 1868 or November 24, 1868 in Texarkana, Texas to a former slave and laborer and a house cleaner. Joplin received most of his music education from Julius Weiss in Texas. As a late teen he began working as a traveling musician and eventually moved to Missouri in 1894. There he became a success. While in Sedalia, Mo. local businessman John Stark purchased the rights to “Maple Leaf Rag.” When it was published in 1899, it became a sensation, and all 10,000 copies quickly sold. Along with "Maple Leaf Rag" his other most famous songs were “Gladiolus Rag,” and “The Entertainer”. He often collaborated with Scott Hayden.

Joplin arrived in New York City in 1907 and was popular enough to find work right away. He wrote an opera, "Treemonisha," hoping to have it produced but that was unsuccessful. He died on April 1, 1917 in New York City and in the late 1970s his opera was finally performed.

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