World renowned ragtime pianist Adam Swanson will present a concert this Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m., at the Katy Depot, 600 East 3rd Street.

 

Swanson is in Sedalia this week as Artist in Residence promoting the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, slated for May 28-31 in downtown Sedalia.

As the Artist in Residence, Swanson is visiting numerous elementary schools (and two nursing homes) in the area, giving performances and educating youth on the music of Scott Joplin, who lived in Sedalia from 1894 to 1901.

Joplin worked as a piano teacher and also wrote composed his own music. He began publishing in 1895. Joplin composed more than 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas.

Swanson, 32, is a four-time winner of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Player Contest, who is based in Durango, Colorado.

He will be performing, along with other world-class musicians, during the Joplin Festival, scheduled for the last week in May.

Joplin Foundation
Joplin Foundation
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Doors open for Thursday night’s concert at 6:30. Tickets are $5 at the door. No reserved seating.

Students get in for free for a paying adult.

Randy Kirby
Randy Kirby
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“I had a great audience this morning (Monday) at Dresden School. They were very attentive, and they just loved it,” Swanson told Randy Kirby during a radio interview done between shows.

The concert will consist of music that Joplin composed and published right here in Sedalia, Swanson noted.

At the conclusion of the concert, Swanson will play along and provide the musical soundtrack to a silent move, “Chasing Choo-Choos” which includes incredible train chase scenes.

He chose a train-themed movie due to the fact that the concert is taking place at a formerly active train depot (now a museum and gift shop) located on the Katy Trail.

Swanson, in addition to all his live performances during the 2025 festival, will also serve as Symposia director.

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