Davenport was ordained a pastor, but expelled from theological college for playing ragtime in church.
A young American pianist played ragtime in another.
He actually worked as a cabaret and theater pianist and first made his name playing ragtime.
Marshall also helped cover his school expenses by playing ragtime in public venues and for dances and special occasions.
Wyeth was the son of music lovers-his father enjoyed playing ragtime.
Later he led his own groups on piano, playing ragtime, blues and early jazz.
The band played ragtime, popular music, and possibly an early or ancestral version of what later became known as jazz.
He subsequently began to teach himself to play ragtime.
His family objected strongly to his musical aspirations and sent him to a theological seminary, where he was expelled for playing ragtime.
His band, not above playing ragtime, was a precursor of the jazz age and he insisted on the importance and value of black music.