Zez Confrey—Jay Walk, 1927 Todd Perley 2020-08-18 | The happiest, goofiest little ditty I've ever played. How CAN you have problems when there's music like this?
Vincent M. Johnsons That Bagel Rag Todd Perley 2023-02-16 | Perhaps the only contemporary ragtime piece written using Klezmer scales. This delightful piece is just one of many of Johnson's original works, all of which I consider masterpieces.Visit his site for more original and classic ragtime music. He's not only a brilliant composer, but an excellent performer.@NoveltyPiano For more of my piano music, and behind-the-scenes stuff, including essays, journal entries, deconstructions of music I'm working on, and a whole lot more, sign up at my Patreon page. I do not disappoint!http://patreon.com/toddperley
The Gardenia — A Slow Drag by William Bolcom Todd Perley 2022-12-06 | Perhaps the most beautiful ragtime piece conceived, by the inimitable William Bolcom
Zez Confrey Concert at Bar Redux, New Orleans Todd Perley 2022-10-12 | My friend Ian asked me to play piano at his art opening. Here are nine selections from the great Zez Confrey's novelty piano solos, plus a little Scott Joplin to close.Apologies for the absolutely terrible camera work. My ancient GoPro doesn't have a viewfinder. I just bought a new camera that will ensure this will never happen again. Meanwhile, if you enjoy this music, consider dropping a ducat into my virtual tip jar to help pay for the new camera. Venmo: Todd-Perley Cheers!
Zez Confrey: Three Little Oddities 1923 Todd Perley 2022-09-25 | 1) Impromptu2) Romanza3) NoveletteThis is a bit of a departure from the rollicking good times of Zez's novelty piano opus, and shows his classical upbringing. In particular, these three pieces seem to me directly influenced by Claude Debussy, still quite the rage in the early 20th century.Each of these little pieces is heartachingly beautiful. I hope you think so too.
Zez Confrey: Poor Buttermilk — 1921 Todd Perley 2022-09-20 | This piece always called the dancing skeletons from that 1929 Disney cartoon to mind. Sinister and fun.
Zez Confrey: Stumbling -1921 Todd Perley 2022-09-06 | You know this piece, even if you don't know who Zez Confrey was. :-)
Zez Confrey: AUDACITY - 1936 Todd Perley 2022-07-24 | Zez Confrey was the master of the novelty piano and stride compositions of the early 20th century.
Last Rag by William Bolcom, performed by Todd Perley Todd Perley 2022-04-15 | Recorded the afternoon after my friend Angie's funeral.
Maggie by Jerry Giddens Todd Perley 2022-03-11 | Jerry Giddens and Terry Sims play Jerry's song "Maggie." Video by Todd Perley.
Waltz of the Clowns by Jerry Giddens Todd Perley 2022-03-10 | Folk song written and performed by Jerry Giddens, featuring Terry Sims on bass. This is Jerry's submission to the Tiny Desk Contest at NPR, 2022, filmed by Todd Perley for MeowMeow Productions. Meow!
That Hand-Played Rag by Silverman & Ward, 1914 Todd Perley 2021-11-17 | In the spirit of Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf," this is the story of Little Timmy and Bad Bart as told through this strange ragtime piece from 1914. Little Timmy is a bad mutha!If you don't care about the gory story, skip to 04:25For the full hour-long concert of that night: youtube.com/watch?v=DCr0MCLvDbQ
Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, and the Aftermath Todd Perley 2021-09-15 | On 29 August, 2021, sixteen years to the day after Katrina, Hurricane Ida blew through New Orleans, ripping off half our roof in her furious path. Here is the footage of the storm, and the two weeks of reconstruction following the event.Thank you to all you wonderful people out there in the dark who have helped us recover from this major event.If you’d like to contribute to our rebuilding campaign, all donations will be met with the highest appreciation conceivable. Without the help of friends, family, and strangers, we simply could not recover from this mess.Please visit: gofundme.com/f/help-the-perleys-recover-from-idaMay the deity of your choice bless you and keep you. xxx
A Zez Confrey Piano Concert...with no sustain pedal! Todd Perley 2021-07-07 | UNSUSTAINABLE CONCERT!A recital of several pieces from the 1920s and 1930s by the amazing Zez Confrey featuring his novelty / stride piano solo compositions, performed in my parlour in New Orleans, all without the benefit of a sustain pedal! Because I am an insane person. And a masochist, evidently.If you enjoy this video, please consider throwing a buck or two in my tip jar so I may one day have a functioning piano. This concert took about a year to prepare for.Venmo: @Todd-PerleyPayPal: payments@dejadu.comThank you in advance for your absurd generosity. SET LIST00:04:11—“Kinda Careless,” (or possibly “Mississippi Shivers”) from The African Suite, 192400:09:32—“Nickel in the Slot”, 192300:14:21—“Grandfather’s Clock”, 193300:18:38—“Mouse’s Hooves”, 193500:22:22—“Jay Walk”, 192700:27:04—“At Dusk” from the Moods of a New Yorker Suite, 193200:29:54—“Arabian Maid”, 193500:39:38—“That Bagel Rag” by Vincent M. Johnson, 201700:47:40—“Coaxing the Piano”, 1922“Kitten on the Keys” is not performed here, because I remember how painful a piece that was to learn and I didn’t want to punish myself like that again. But here is my earlier (sloppy) performance of that 1921 masterpiece:youtube.com/watch?v=HuTcYSmWS60And my performance of “Dizzy Fingers,” Zez’s other big early hit:youtube.com/watch?v=ZofTSbd3Dg8I highly recommend Vincent Johnson’s incredible CD of 19 original rags, played expertly by Max Keenlyside. He really is as good a composer as Scott Joplin. Go ahead; fight me.amazon.com/Invincible-Syncopations-Ragtime-Vincent-Matthew/dp/B07Q6KH4W6A folio of the sheet music to these pieces is available as well.Or go listen to Vincent’s excellent piano interpretations. He’s much better than I am.youtube.com/user/NoveltyPianoAlso recommended for sheet music, “Zez Confrey: At The Piano”amazon.com/Zez-Confrey-Piano-Solos/dp/0739093371
Zez Confrey: Grandfathers Clock Todd Perley 2021-05-19 | Zez Confrey’s sweet, yet obscure and largely-forgotten novelty piano solo, and DON’T it sound just like an old clockVisit the excellent ragtime/novelty page of Vincent M. Johnson! He good!youtube.com/user/NoveltyPianoMy previous Zez recordings:“Kinda Careless” (aka “Mississippi Shivers”) youtube.com/watch?v=8Ms8DUPyZAg“Nickel in the Slot” & “Jay Walk” youtube.com/watch?v=IdJkxX4ZBQ4&t=307s“Kitten on the Keys” youtube.com/watch?v=HuTcYSmWS60“Dizzy Fingers” youtube.com/watch?v=ZofTSbd3Dg8
Zez Confrey: Kinda Careless (1924) WITHOUT A SUSTAIN PEDAL! Todd Perley 2021-05-07 | How do you play novelty/stride piano with no sustain pedal? VERY CAREFULLY. Which goes against the title of this piece, "Kinda Careless" from Zez's "African Suite". But wotcha gonna do?Check out my other Zez Confrey performances:"Nickel in the Slot" and "Jay Walk"—youtube.com/watch?v=IdJkxX4ZBQ4&t=307s"Kitten on the Keys"—youtube.com/watch?v=HuTcYSmWS60"Dizzy Fingers"—youtube.com/watch?v=ZofTSbd3Dg8
Readers Digest Mash-Up—Kids Who Kill for Kicks Todd Perley 2021-04-01 | An absurd mash-up, Mad Lib-style, from every article, told in one story, from the October, 1977 issue of Reader's Digest.
Readers Digest Mash-Up! I Am Joes Throat. September, 1973 Todd Perley 2021-02-24 | An absurd mash-up, Mad Lib-style, from every article, told in one story, from the September, 1973 issue of Reader's Digest.Previous Reader’s Digest Mash-ups:“Is Your Sex Life Going Up in Smoke?” — youtube.com/watch?v=4ImLvxeaEyc“How Autopsies Save Lives” — youtube.com/watch?v=KPup5ivTEIs“Case of the Deadly Hot Peppers” — youtube.com/watch?v=TCARU1bFKYs“Please, Don’t Hurt My Baby!” — youtube.com/watch?v=ugvkNRnOkMo“An Electric Nightmare” — youtube.com/watch?v=O21YKVowKFg
Last Rag by William Bolcom, for Angie Jakusz. Todd Perley 2021-01-25 | A contemporary (1968) ragtime piece in B minor, dedicated to Angie, taken by cancer way too young.Yes, I'm crying at the end of this. It's just that sort of music.Angie's obit from People Magazine: people.com/tv/survivor-palau-angie-jakusz-dies-at-age-40
An Electric Nightmare—A Mash-Up of Vintage Readers Digest Articles Todd Perley 2020-11-06 | An absurd mash-up, Mad Lib-style, from every article, told in one story, from the December, 1974 issue of Reader's Digest.
Tabby Cat Walk by William Bolcom, Performed by Todd Perley Todd Perley 2020-10-22 | A marvelous contemporary (1968) ragtime piano solo that follows the exploits of a very distractable kitty.Other Bolcom rags I've played:"Graceful Ghost Rag" & "Epithalamium"—youtube.com/watch?v=HlgdZ6B1Mtk"Epitaph for Louis Chauvin"—youtube.com/watch?v=uughPivukOI
Please, Dont Hurt My Baby! — A Mash-Up of Vintage Readers Digest Articles Todd Perley 2020-10-20 | An absurd mash-up Mad Lib from every article, told in one story, from the December, 1974 issue of Reader's Digest.
The Case of the Deadly Hot Peppers—A Mash-Up of Readers Digest Articles Todd Perley 2020-10-07 | An absurd mash-up Mad Lib from every article, told in one story, from the November, 1977 issue of Reader's Digest.
How Autopsies Save Lives—A Mash-Up of Readers Digest Articles. Todd Perley 2020-10-04 | An absurd mash-up, Mad-Lib-style, from every article, told in one story, from the October, 1973 issue of Reader's Digest.
Is Your Sex Life Going Up In Smoke?—A Mash-Up of Readers Digest Articles Todd Perley 2020-10-03 | An absurd mash-up Mad Lib from every article, told in one story, from the January, 1975 issue of Reader's Digest.
Kristin Hersh—San Francisco from the album Sky Motel Todd Perley 2020-09-16 | Featuring Kristin's boys, cat, and snake.
Zez Confrey: Nickel in the Slot and Jay Walk Todd Perley 2020-09-08 | Two pieces by stride/novelty piano master Zez Confrey.Here's my practice session filmed while learning "Nickel in the Slot" last week: youtube.com/watch?v=iShH8Fal9Zg&t=3sPrevious Zez songs I played: "Kitten on the Keys" youtube.com/watch?v=HuTcYSmWS60"Dizzy Fingers" youtube.com/watch?v=ZofTSbd3Dg8
Practicing Zez Confreys Nickel in the Slot … badly. Todd Perley 2020-08-29 | Come spend twenty frustrating, agonizing minutes with me trying to learn a new piece. ENJOY MY PAIN!My previous Zez Confrey videos:"Kitten on the Keys"—youtube.com/watch?v=HuTcYSmWS60"Jay Walk"—youtube.com/watch?v=WKA_io8TRGQ"Dizzy Fingers"—youtube.com/watch?v=ZofTSbd3Dg8And similarly, by Felix Arndt, "Nola"—youtube.com/watch?v=K4fgmlRc8Ps
Time Lapse from Dusk Till Dawn Todd Perley 2020-07-21 | I set up a GoPro in various spots at a lakehouse on Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY, and shot time lapse video. Featuring my dog Bunny zipping about.
Quarantine Quoncerto, an Outdoor Ragtime Concert in the Age of Covid-19 Todd Perley 2020-04-29 | Since we can't go to live shows at the moment, I threw a socially-distant ragtime concert from my balcony in New Orleans inviting friends and neighbors to enjoy the music from the street or under the balcony.This global shutdown has rendered me unemployed, so online busking is my only form of income at the moment. If you're NOT unemployed, and enjoy live performances of ragtime music (albeit played poorly with tons of mistakes), please consider tossing something into my tip jar via PayPal (use: payments@dejadu.com) or Venmo (use: Todd-Perley). Every little bit is appreciated to the point of tears.Set list:00:00:52 William Bolcom: “Epitaph for Louis Chauvin”00:05:04 Scott Joplin: “Euphonic Sounds”00:08:33 Geoge L. Cobb: “Russian Rag”00:12:23 George McClellan: “Grace & Propriety”00:16:36 William Bolcom: “Epithalamium”00:20:18 H. H. McSkimming: “Felix Rag”00:23:05 William Bolcom: “Graceful Ghost Rag”00:27:22 Lucian P. Gibson: “Cactus Rag”00:30:28 Scott Joplin: “Maple Leaf Rag”
Leafy Lace Scarf Knitting Tutorial Todd Perley 2020-04-14 | A cool pattern for a scarf and not terribly complicated to make.Download the pattern here:http://dejadu.com/LeafyLaceScarf.rtf
Sew Your Own Mask Todd Perley 2020-04-09 | DIY safety masks for our lovely Corona-riddled world. These do not require elastic, since I don't have any and can't get any without more trouble than I care for.
Butterfly Emerges from Chysalis Todd Perley 2020-03-27 | Now that we're quarantined at home, there's little to do but focus on the wildlife in the garden
Quarantine House Tour Todd Perley 2020-03-23 | I'm loving my friends' virtual tours of their homes. It's the most interesting thing to see in these weird, dark days. Makes me feel like I'm hanging out with actual living people again. So here's a tour of Clifford the Big Red House.
William Bolcom: “Epitaph for Louis Chauvin” Todd Perley 2020-03-10 | A beautiful ragtime song written with the same chord progression as "Helioptrope Bouquet" by Louis Chauvin and Scott Joplin.
“Graceful Ghost Rag” and “Epithalamium” by William Bolcom Todd Perley 2020-02-18 | My performance of two marvelous pieces by the inimitable William Bolcom. I messed up a bit in the last strain of Epithalamium, but for once I got both songs down on take one, so I didn't want to start over.
Camille Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto #2, G minor, Op.22 Todd Perley 2020-02-11 | One of my favorite pieces, showing the score with a bouncing ball, and some spurious thoughts on the mood of the piece.
Bunny Arrives Home, 2012 Todd Perley 2020-01-29 | Eight years ago I acquired a rescue dog. You might recognize her from her world-famous horrible joke meme. If so, I'm sorry about those.This is the video I shot the day Bunny was brought home, January 2012. And some subsequent Bunny moments that I'm fond of.
Scott Joplin & Louis Chauvin—Heliotrope Bouquet Todd Perley 2020-01-17 | A collaboration between the king of ragtime, and the obscure composer Louis Chauvin who only seems to have three compositions published. This is a classic, weird, gorgeous ragtime piece.
Bunny Escapes the Back Yard Todd Perley 2020-01-06 | For weeks we've wondered how the dog was getting out of the yard. So I put a Go Pro on her collar to solve the mystery.
William Bolcom: Graceful Ghost Rag Todd Perley 2019-12-18 | The first in Bolcom's suite of 3 Ghost Rags, and the piece I first heard by him that instantly turned me into a fan. Hauntingly beautiful, pun unavoidable.
William Bolcom—Epithalamium Todd Perley 2019-12-16 | A wonderful piece from 1993. "Epithalamium" is an ancient Greek wedding song or poem, but this one is written in ragtime with a particularly playful rhythm in the second strain.
Rag Against the Machine! — A Ragtime Piano Concert Todd Perley 2019-10-24 | Twelve ragtime selections performed for about 35 friends in my parlour in New Orleans, 20 October, 2019.Sorry about the accidental product placement. Diet Dr. Pepper in no way sponsored this evening.0:05:02 George L. Cobb: "Russian Rag" — 1918, D minor0:10:33 Scott Joplin: "Weeping Willow" — 1903, G0:17:05 Joseph Lamb: "Nightingale Rag" — 1915, C minor0:21:12 Lucian Porter Gibson: "Cactus Rag" — 1916, E flat0:26:28 George McClellan: "Grace & Propriety" — 1996, D minor0:31:25 Scott Joplin: "Euphonic Sounds" — 1909, B flat0:36:33 Joseph Lamb: "Top Liner Rag" — 1916, A flat0:41:10 H. H. McSkimming: "Felix Rag" —1910, C0:43:52 Silverman & Ward: "That Hand-Played Rag" — 1914, A minor0:52:50 Mark Janza: "Lion Tamer" — 1913, G1:00:10 William Bolcom: "Graceful Ghost Rag" — 1971, B flat minor1:10:20 Scott Joplin: "Maple Leaf Rag" — 1899, A flat
The ACTUAL Sounds of Nature — Honest New Age Music Todd Perley 2019-08-08 | My acupuncturist put on this CD. Either the song was called "Sounds of Nature" or the album was, I can't remember. It had water flowing and birds chirping, and as I lay on the table trying to zen out, I kept thinking, what would a song with the ACTUAL sounds of nature be like? Babbling brook, check. Birds tweeting, check. But this piece was missing a lot of things in nature. Flies. Rutting pigs. Gobbling turkeys. A cat fight. A lumberjack with a chainsaw. I was shaking with laughter imagining a new age song that more honestly portrayed the actual sounds of nature.So I borrowed the CD and made a few adjustments to the song, et voilà.The video is a slo-mo at dawn of a ziggurat I built on the shore of Lake Keuka in Upstate, NY.
Scott Joplin: Weeping Willow 1903 Todd Perley 2019-06-02 | One of my favorite Joplin pieces. Simple and sweet, yet harmonically complex enough to keep you interested.
Russian Rag by George L. Cobb, 1918 Todd Perley 2019-05-06 | Based on Rachmaninoff's fabulous, macabre C# minor prélude, which I lead with in this performance.
Cactus Rag by Lucian Porter Gison, 1916 Todd Perley 2019-05-03 | This one's just a whole mess o' fun. And prickly AF.
“Grace and Propriety” — a Ragtime Song Todd Perley 2019-05-01 | This is the most beautiful, elegant ragtime piece I've ever heard.I believe this is a composition by George McClellan, from around 1996. So rare to find contemporary ragtime pieces around the turn of the most recent century—1996 instead of 1886.I say "I believe" this is by Mr. McClellan because all I had was a mangled MIDI file from several years ago that I printed out and spent about three weeks engraving it into proper sheet music, and learning the piece. On the original, messy MIDI printout, I had scrawled his name and '1996' on the paper, but google today gives me no hits on this piece. Lots of links to dead 20th century websites, so I gather I got the original file from one of those places before they went into cyber-limbo.I imagine this piece is in response to James Scott's "Grace and Beauty Rag," though in my opinion, "Grace and Propriety is far superior.
