Lion Tamer Rag, The - A Syncopated Fantasia (Mark Janza, 1913). "The Lion Tamer Rag" was written by Mark Janza of New Albany, Indiana, and published in 1913 by A. F. Marzian, Louisville, Kentucky. The sheet music and original cover are reproduced in "Ragtime Rarities", published in 1975 by Dover Publications. In the introduction to the book Trebor Tichenor says:

"But the most incredible work to come out of the area [Indiana and the Ohio River Valley] is probably "The Lion Tamer Rag" of New Albany, Indiana. Mark Janza's piece is truly a "fantasia," with surprising harmonies and syncopations, a labyrinth of inspired ragtime."

Lonesome Ivories (Hamish Davidson, 2001). This composition was born as I slumped over my piano keys, waiting for my imagination to kick in. I often drown myself in the ivories when I'm in a miserable mood. Nothing lifts your spirits better than the pompous 'stride' of your left hand when trying to play the music of Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. E minor is a good key to stride in too, because you don't often have to stretch a tenth interval between a white and a black key. In the A section, the right hand plays a melody similar to a Scottish strathspey, whilst maintaining a stride left hand. The B section features the left hand by sketching out a walking bass pattern. This pattern is embellished by some tasteful riffs in the right hand. The C section was written to stand out from the other two parts, and it seems as though I was successful. This section would make a good theme for a children's television program. As the piece goes on, you can hear me sink into the piano, and eventually rise to my usual high spirits. [Hamish Davidson]

Lourdes Joys (Ezequiel Pallejá, 1998). Actually, the title for this rag should be "The joys that my daughter, Lourdes, has given me". [Ezequiel Pallejá]

Luna Park Rag (Paul Copeland, 2000). Luna Park was about 10 minutes from Paul's home in St. Kilda. Many a weekend would be spent by Paul at Luna Park where he would enjoy in particular the 'Scenic Railway, Big Dipper, and playing on the pinball machines. In those days (1960) it was possible to win hundreds of games on the pinball machines. Paul remembers one occasion where he won about 200 games, and played until Luna Park closed, with over a hundred games still on the machine!

"Luna Park Rag", is Paul's first rag. The key changes are interesting C, F, A flat, E, A flat, F, C.

The midi file has been very kindly modified by Irwin Schwartz.