Richard A. Cromie Carlsbad, CA 92008 Tel: (760) 729-6136 Email: rich@rrragtimer.com

Rich was born in Los Angeles, California to a musical family. His mother was a distinguished choral directress, and several aunts and uncles have chosen careers in music. His grandmother, "Frenchie," was an agent for children's singing parts, so Rich was cast in a number of screen and early TV productions beginning at age 5 until his voice changed at 14.

But Rich was always around the piano. He developed a love for ragtime during the revival of the early '70s. Along with books by Rudy Blesh/Harriet Janis and Edward A. Berlin and recordings by Joshua Rifkin, Eubie Blake, Dick Zimmerman, etc.; his library includes sheet music for over 100 rags (1897-1922) as well as some other popular music from the turn of the century.

Besides the perfunctory childhood lessons, Rich is basically self-taught in piano and piano theory. He has performed as a solo pianist for the past several years for weddings, retirements, and other occasions; as well as doing contract work for local dining establishments and nightclubs. He performs a live show, The Ragtime Centennial Show, which includes some history and theory of ragtime (and his own compositions). He has recorded several of his compositions at Carlsbad Studio West, Gary P. Johnson, Engineer.

Ragtime Compositions:
The Centennial Waltz, A Waltz in Ragtime, (©1996) Richard A. Cromie, Lib. of Congress # PAu 2-089-888.
The Hollywood Park Smokestack Rag, (©1996) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu 2-113-918.
The Timberline Rag, (©1997) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu 2-162-010.
The Tortoise and the Hare, An Audible Illusion in Ragtime, (©1997) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu 2-198-637.
Sue and Howard's Wedding Patrol, (©1997) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu 2-246-344.
The Beachcomber Rag, (©1999) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu-408-521.
Hauling Trash, (©2001) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # PAu 2-583-067.
The Coal Train Rag, (©2010) Richard A. Cromie, Library of Congress # pending.