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According to the Internet source given below, Charles Thompson was an American ragtime pianist who lived for the most part of his life in St. Louis, Missouri. An autodidact without notational skills, he was considered by his contemporaries to be the best living ragtime pianist. In 1916 he was involved in a massive legendary
ragtime piano competition in St. Louis whereby there were 68 participants. Amongst these included the best in St. Louis, to whit Thomas Million Turpin and all of the famous Police Gazette contest players. He was declared the Missouri State Champion after a two week competition.
After meeting James Price Johnson, an up-and-coming stride pianist, in 1919 his playing and compositions immediately reflected the Harlem piano sound resulting in some memorable blues tunes.
His only published work is The Lily Rag (1914), arranged by Artie Matthews and published by the Syndicate Music Company, St. Louis, Missouri and he is still remembered for his Delmar Rag composed sometime in the 1910's.
List of Charles Thompson's works.
Sheet Music:
Eubie Blake on "Golden Reunion in Ragtime"
Eubie Blake on "That's Ragtime!"
Bob Darch on "Reunion in Ragtime"
"Perfessor" Bill Edwards on "The Art of the Rag"
Adam Swanson on "Chestnut St. in the 90s" CD(s) & MP3 Album(s)
Charles Thompson on "The Neglected Professor"