Scott Hayden

Scott Hayden (March 31, 1882 September 16, 1915)[1] was an American composer of ragtime music.

Sheet music cover of "Sunflower Slow Drag"

Life

Born in Sedalia, Missouri, he was the son of Marion and Julia Hayden. Hayden is remembered today for the four rags he composed in collaboration with Scott Joplin, "Sunflower Slow Drag," "Something Doing," "Felicity Rag," "Kismet Rag" and also for another composition he wrote himself, "Pear Blossoms". There was a family connection of sorts between the two men, since Joplin's first wife, Belle Hayden, had been Scott Hayden's sister-in-law. Hayden married Nora Wright and lived with the Joplins in St. Louis.

Nora died giving birth to a daughter in 1901. Hayden moved to Chicago, got a job as an elevator operator in the Cook County Hospital, and married Jeanette Wilkins. A slender, handsome man of delicate health, he died in Chicago of pulmonary tuberculosis, leaving "Pear Blossoms" unfinished.[2]

References

  • Jasen, David A.; Trebor Jay Tichenor (1978). Rags and Ragtime: A Musical History. New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc. pp. 104–106. ISBN 0-486-25922-6.
  1. MusicSack however gives March 3, 1882 while agreeing with the rest.
  2. "Something Doing Cake Walk March". Answers.com. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
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