James Sylvester Scott was an American ragtime composer and pianist. He is regarded as one of the "Big Three" composers of classical ragtime along with Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb.
Scott c. 1904
James Scott's 1904 "On the Pike", which refers to the midway of the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904.
Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that had its peak from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers such as Scott Joplin, James Scott and Joseph Lamb. Ragtime pieces are typically composed for and performed on piano, though the genre has been adapted for a variety of instruments and styles.
Cover for "La Pas Ma La" sheet music (1895). Words and Music by Ernest Hogan
Joseph Lamb's 1916 "The Top Liner Rag"
The keys of this player piano from 1885 are controlled by musical information in the center piano roll.
Sheet music cover for "Spaghetti Rag" (1910) by Lyons and Yosco Spaghetti Rag (1910), by Lyons and Yosco