Galen Wilkes has a strong interest in Americana of all sorts and within that realm is his passion for the music and history of ragtime music. He holds one of the most extensive resumes in that field. He wears many hats as composer, arranger, broadcaster, historian, writer, lecturer, and producer. He began composing in his teens and soon turned to piano rags after being enthralled with Scott Joplin.
While in college, he was approached to host a radio series on ragtime. The idea actually terrified him and he said no, but later gave in. At his disposal were some top ragtime talents and personalities in New York.
After moving to California the same thing happened again. He was asked to go on the airwaves and use his knowledge. He was promoted by jazz musician Bob Ringwald, father of actress Molly Ringwald. He had no intention of creating another series for radio but back he went. During all of this time he was conducting and collecting interviews, doing research, and visiting historic sites, and he has continued to do so over the decades. “You can never have too much knowledge” is his belief.
By the early 1980s he realized something. Ragtime was much more than people sitting and listening to piano rags. It was often put on a pedestal and killed with reverence. Where were all the other elements to the life of this music? He decided to do something about it.
He organized the Palm Leaf Ragtime Orchestra, creating a ragtime ball, and reviving the dances to ragtime music. He also revived the historic cakewalk contest, the pinnacle of the event. This idea spread to other ragtime events and festivals. Dancers gleefully did the two step, one step, grizzly bear, turkey trot, and a host of other period steps around the ballroom. The highlight of course was the cakewalk contest, with its huge, prize cake.
Following this, he turned his energies to an even bigger idea, a ragtime festival in his native New England. He produced this for two years, drawing mainly from regional talent. One of his speakers was none other than Joseph Lamb’s daughter, Patricia.
Next, he wrote extensively for two major projects: The Rag Time Ephemeralist, and several important Classic Ragtime collections on CDs, produced by Basta, of the Netherlands.
He has assisted in putting headstones on the unmarked graves of the composers. The most recent monument was for the cakewalking master, Doc Brown.
He also holds expertise on early cinema and currently gives historical programs on both early films and ragtime and popular music. He often features original recordings played on his 1908 Edison. He has also made recordings the way they did over a century ago - on wax cylinders!
His devotion to ragtime’s music and history has lasted for five decades and it’s still going.
Selected Performances
Ragtime Blackbird - Composed in 2016, Ragtime Blackbird is a beautiful tribute to the red-winged blackbird. In Galen's own words: "Ragtime Blackbird is a Classic Rag, following in the tradition of “avian rags” with bird-like qualities. It is named for the Red-Winged Blackbird, a most colorful sight where I grew up, on the languid Pattagansett." It’s a charming and clever use of ragtime’s joyful, rhythmic style.
As a fun side note, when I first started working on this piece, I naturally started swinging the 8ths notes. I sent an audio clip to Galen to share my interpretation, and he wasted no time setting me straight—turns out, Ragtime Blackbird really needs to be played with the strict, no-swing classic ragtime style. At first, it was a challenge for me to play it that way, but in hindsight, the piece is much stronger for it. There’s a certain crispness and clarity to it when played with the original rhythm that brings out all the subtle beauty Wilkes put into the composition.
Last of the Ragtime Pioneers - Written in 1984, this beautiful classic rag was written as a eulogy for three composers that had died the past year; Eubie Blake, Abe Olman and Grace Leboy, all born in the 19th century. The pianist is Sue Keller.
The Streets of Sedalia - Here's a rare video of Galen Wilkes himself playing his composition "The Streets of Sedalia" - written in 1987 and inspired by historic picture postcards of the famous ragtime town in Missouri.
Locating The Music
Galen Wilkes has his compositions available in multiple folios at his website store.
Published Compositions for Piano
Mexican Mirage (tango) - 1976, 1979
Ragtime Bluebird - 1977
Hollywood Rag - 1978, 1979
Sonatina in Ragtime - for piano and violin - 1980, 2025
Mephistopheles’ Two Step - 1980
Magnolia Rag - 1980
Leprechaun Rag - 1981
Redwood Rag - 1981
Puppy on the Piano - 1981
Baltimore Rag - 1982
Rx Rag - 1982
Pacific Street on the Barbary Coast - 1982, 2001
Daffodil - 1983
Sedalia Stomp - 1983
The Creeks of Missouri - 1983
Boone County Rag - 1983
Walnut St. Rag - 1983, 2025
The Old Boston Post Road - 1984
Spanish Moss (tango) - 1984
The Last of the Ragtime Pioneers - 1984
Sunnieside Stride - 1984
Whippoorwill Hollow - 1985
Wisteria Rag - 1985
Horsefeathers - 1985
The Water Witch - 1985
Aphrodite (ragtime waltz) - 1985, 1986
The Streets of Sedalia - 1987
Cakewalking Through Kansas - 1992
The Oyster Shimmy - 1992
Niantic by the Sea - 1994
Sweet Dreams (ragtime waltz) - 1998
Queen of Diamonds (tango) - 1998
Jacaranda (ragtime waltz) - 2002, 2021
Hollywood Stroll - 2006
Green Clover Rag (w/ Neil Blaze, Tom Brier, Eric Marchese) - 2007
Red Carpet Stroll - 2008
Ragtime Blackbird - 2016
Krampus Cakewalk - 2016, 2025
Pink Elephants - 2021
Stompin’ The Blues - 2022
Skullduggery - 2023
Works for beginners:
Stop And Go - 1998
The Pie Fight - 1998
Old South Cakewalk - 1998; variation 2001
Promenade Cakewalk - 1998; rag version 2001
Struttin' Cakewalk - 1999
Jubilee Cakewalk - 1999
The Birthday Cake Walk - 2001
Indigo (ragtime waltz) - 2001
Conundrum (ragtime waltz) - 2001
Oleander (ragtime waltz) - 2001
Gemstone (ragtime waltz) - 2001
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