World-Famous Ragtime in Rockland

Nyack had a world-class concert—and history lesson—last night.

Bob Milne, a ragtime and boogie-woogie pianist who has played around the world, performed at the First Reformed Church of Nyack Thursday evening.

Milne has been performing since his adolescent years—and in 2004, he played at the Library of Congress while creating a documentary. He is currently touring the United States.

Milne's performance benefited Child Care Resources of Rockland (CCRR), a non-profit that works to better the lives of Rockland families and children. Dorothy Goren, a board member of CCRR, introduced Milne.

"I love Ragtime music," she said. "It automatically puts a smile on my face."

Once the show kicked off, Milne alternated between Ragtime songs and banter at the microphone.

When playing the piano, Milne was a consummate pro—and an enthusiastic one. His arms and legs, when not working the keys and pedals, flailed about (in time, no less).

"Ragtime is American, and came from folk music," Milne said between his first two songs. It was originally played on guitar, banjo and mandolin, and not piano, he added.

"Why?" Milne asked. "Because at the time, piano music sold better than guitar music."

Milne also discussed Scott Joplin, the "King of Ragtime," who composed many now-famous numbers, introduced Ragtime as a prevailing genre and toured with his eight-man quartet.

("We're still trying to figure out how that one worked," Milne joked).

One of the night's highlights? Milne's take on Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag," the piece that helped Ragtime triumph over its stigma of saloon music.

Next up for Milne: a show tonight in Woodstock, NY at the Woodstock Reformed Church. Learn more about Milne at his website, and more about CCRR at theirs.