Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

February 24, 1874 in Sioux Falls, SD

Death

:

February 11, 1949 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

George Botsford was an American composer and pianist who was born on January 10, 1874, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Botsford began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He studied music at the University of Michigan and later at the Chicago Musical College. Botsford's early compositions were influenced by ragtime music, which was popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became known for his syncopated rhythms and catchy melodies, which were often performed in dance halls and theaters. Botsford's most famous composition is "Black and White Rag," which was first published in 1908. The piece became a hit and was later used in the soundtrack of the 1973 film "The Sting." Botsford's other notable compositions include "Grizzly Bear Rag," "Chatterbox Rag," and "The Whistler and His Dog." He also wrote several songs, including "I'm Sorry I Made You Cry" and "I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl That Married Dear Old Dad)." Botsford's music was popular during the ragtime era, but he continued to compose throughout his life. He wrote music for films and television shows, including "The Honeymooners" and "The Jackie Gleason Show." Botsford also worked as a music editor for several publishing companies and wrote instructional books on piano playing. Botsford died on February 1, 1949, in New York City. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and he is remembered as one of the most important composers of the ragtime era.

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