Clarence E. Brandon Sr. (1887–1962) was a writer,

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

, and performer of

ragtime Ragtime, also spelled rag-time or rag time, is a musical style that had its peak from the 1890s to 1910s. Its cardinal trait is its Syncopation, syncopated or "ragged" rhythm. Ragtime was popularized during the early 20th century by composers ...

music in the early twentieth century. He wrote or composed more than 50 songs from 1911 to 1947, including ragtime,

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

, and marches. While there are no known copies of music before 1911, his son, Clarence E. Brandon Jr., claimed his music-writing career began as far back as 1903.Brandon, "The Life of Clarence E. Brandon Sr.", 2010 He published under many publishing companies, many his own, including Syndicate Music Company, Weile Publishing Company Inc., Buck and Lowney, Brandon and Josse Publishing Company, Orpheum Music Company, Brandon Music Company, S.S. Kresge, and Stark Music Company. In 1911, Brandon wrote the first "

I Ain't Got Nobody "I Ain't Got Nobody" (sometimes referred to as "I'm So Sad and Lonely" or "I Ain't Got Nobody Much") is a popular song and copyrighted in 1915. It was first recorded by Marion Harris, and became a perennial standard, recorded many times over the ...

"Jasen, "Ragtime: An Encyclopedia, Discography, and Sheetography", 2007 which shares some similarities to the well-known 1915 song of the same title by

Spencer Williams Spencer Williams (October 14, 1889 – July 14, 1965) was an American jazz and popular music composer, pianist, and singer. He is best known for his hit songs " Basin Street Blues", " I Ain't Got Nobody", " Royal Garden Blues", " I've Found a N ...

. Brandon claimed the Williams song was written in response to Brandon's refusal to sell the publishing rights to his "I Ain't Got Nobody," and as a result his version was shelved (sold only under the counter). Later in life, Brandon toured the country with his wife, Margaret Celestine Josse Brandon, and children, Marluel and Clarence Jr., performing Vaudeville and motion picture prologues. His hit songs include "Ten Penny Rag," "Domino Rag," "I Ain't Got Nobody," and "The Educator Rag."

References

External links

"Ten Penny Rag" sheet music

"Ragtime: An Encyclopedia"

"The Life Story of Clarence E. Brandon Sr."
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brandon, Clarence Ragtime composers 20th-century American male composers American composers 1887 births 1962 deaths