The Mississippi Rag
Encyclopedia
The Mississippi Rag was an internationally influential monthly newspaper
about traditional jazz and ragtime
music
published by Leslie Johnson
since 1973.
The Rag features stories about contemporary and legendary giants of traditional jazz and ragtime, plus stories on lesser-known but accomplished musicians. Contributors included George A. Borgman, Bob Byler, Derek Coller, Chip Deffaa
, William Schafer, Butch Thompson
, and Paige Van Vorst.
The Rag covers jazz history, new and current performers, and bands. The paper highlights these bands and performers in each issue, with information about where and when they're playing. The Rag also reviews recordings, books, videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
Dubbed the "bible" of the traditional jazz and ragtime world by its readers:, The Mississippi Rag serves a worldwide readership. Its monthly tabloid reaches subscribers in all 50 of the United States and in 26 other countries. More than one-third of its readers are professional or amateur musicians, including some of the top musicians, writers, researchers and critics in the traditional jazz and ragtime world.
Nearly 100 fine writers and photographers regularly contribute stories and photos to The Rag, and at least six critically acclaimed books have resulted from articles first published in it. The Rag has published many rare photos from private collections, especially Duncan P. Schiedt's. Among the photographers featured are Charles Peterson
, Nancy Miller Elliott, Ray Avery
, William Gottlieb, and Ed Lawless.
In January 2007, The Rag ceased to be issued in print as it had for 33 years, and began to be released online. The last publication was printed online shortly before the death of founder Leslie Johnson.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
about traditional jazz and ragtime
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
published by Leslie Johnson
Leslie Johnson (publisher)
Leslie Johnson was the founder and publisher of the jazz newspaper The Mississippi Rag.In 1973 Johnson started The Mississippi Rag a traditional jazz newspaper which was published as a newspaper until 2007 when it became an internet publication.Johnson died in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 17,...
since 1973.
The Rag features stories about contemporary and legendary giants of traditional jazz and ragtime, plus stories on lesser-known but accomplished musicians. Contributors included George A. Borgman, Bob Byler, Derek Coller, Chip Deffaa
Chip Deffaa
Chip Deffaa is an author, jazz historian, playwright, songwriter and director. For 18 years, he wrote for the New York Post, covering jazz, cabaret, and theater...
, William Schafer, Butch Thompson
Butch Thompson
Butch Thompson is an American jazz pianist and clarinetist best known for his ragtime and stride performances....
, and Paige Van Vorst.
The Rag covers jazz history, new and current performers, and bands. The paper highlights these bands and performers in each issue, with information about where and when they're playing. The Rag also reviews recordings, books, videos, DVDs and CD-ROMs.
Dubbed the "bible" of the traditional jazz and ragtime world by its readers:, The Mississippi Rag serves a worldwide readership. Its monthly tabloid reaches subscribers in all 50 of the United States and in 26 other countries. More than one-third of its readers are professional or amateur musicians, including some of the top musicians, writers, researchers and critics in the traditional jazz and ragtime world.
Nearly 100 fine writers and photographers regularly contribute stories and photos to The Rag, and at least six critically acclaimed books have resulted from articles first published in it. The Rag has published many rare photos from private collections, especially Duncan P. Schiedt's. Among the photographers featured are Charles Peterson
Charles Peterson (photographer)
Charles Peterson is an American photographer well known for his work with the independent record label Sub Pop. His photos are presented in the movie Kurt Cobain: About a Son...
, Nancy Miller Elliott, Ray Avery
Ray Avery
Murray "Ray" Bertrand Avery was a jazz photographer and jazz record collector. He began collecting jazz recordings as a student at Big Bear Lake High School in Big Bear Lake, California...
, William Gottlieb, and Ed Lawless.
In January 2007, The Rag ceased to be issued in print as it had for 33 years, and began to be released online. The last publication was printed online shortly before the death of founder Leslie Johnson.