"Johnny Maddox Plays Ragtime" (Alexandria, Virginia, 1985)

The late, legendary ragtime pianist Johnny Maddox (1927-2018) made this VHS tape in 1985, which gives us an all-too-short glimpse of Johnny at the keys. I initially posted two individual clips from the tape but that was a number of years ago, and I decided it was high time to post the entire video. The tape was advertised when it was released as "Ragtime's First Music Video"! The selections are included, although I've noticed a few small errors. Johnny's medley of "Alexander's Ragtime Band" with "Dixie" and other nineteenth century songs is cut short in a few places. "Maryland, My Maryland" is mislabeled as "Oh Tannenbaum" (although they are based on the same melody). Also, "Amoureuse" was composed by Rodolphe Berger, not Sousa. The piece is associated with Sousa because his band recorded it for Victor. Otherwise, enjoy this unique look into an evening with the "King of Ragtime"... Recorded at Il Porto Ristorante on a Stieff upright piano with lacquered hammers (Alexandria, Virginia | February 1985).