Joseph Fairweather Lamb

American ragtime composer

Joseph Fairweather Lamb (December 6, 1887 – September 3, 1960) was an American composer of ragtime music, one of the "Big Three" composers of classical ragtime, along with Scott Joplin and James Scott.

Early life

Joseph Lamb was born in Montclair, New Jersey, the youngest of four children. His parents were of Irish American descent. Lamb showed an early interest in music, teaching himself to play the piano and developing a passion for the popular music of the time, particularly ragtime.

Career

Lamb's career as a composer began in earnest when he moved to New York City in 1904. He worked in the music publishing industry, which allowed him to meet many of the prominent musicians and composers of the day. In 1907, Lamb met Scott Joplin, who was impressed by Lamb's compositions and introduced him to the music publisher John Stark. Stark published Lamb's first rag, "Sensation," under the name "J. F. Lamb."

Lamb's compositions are known for their complexity and sophistication, often incorporating elements of classical music into the ragtime form. His works include "Ragtime Nightingale," "Top Liner Rag," and "The Bohemia Rag." Despite his success, Lamb remained relatively unknown during his lifetime, as he did not perform publicly and rarely promoted his own work.

Later life and legacy

The grave of Joseph Fairweather Lamb, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh

In the 1940s, there was a revival of interest in ragtime music, and Lamb's work was rediscovered by a new generation of musicians and scholars. He was interviewed by Rudi Blesh and Harriet Janis for their book "They All Played Ragtime," which helped to cement his reputation as one of the great ragtime composers.

Lamb continued to compose music until his death in 1960. He is buried in Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh, Scotland. His music remains popular among ragtime enthusiasts and is frequently performed and recorded.

Related pages

• Ragtime
• Scott Joplin
• James Scott
• John Stark (publisher)