This is the first book devoted to the history of black song writers who introduced new blood into the American popular song. The book begins in the 1880’s and covers the popular songwriters, the composers of ragtime and blues, the stage stars, and finally an overview of black theater. It is a comprehensive view of the immense contribution of black musicians to American popular song, jazz and Broadway theater.

David A. Jasen is an internationally recognized authority on ragtime, early jazz, and popular song. He is the author of numerous books, including Tin Pan Alley, Recorded Ragtime, 1897-1958, and Rags and Ragtime, the editor of several collections, and the producer of numerous CD reissues. He is Professor of Communication Arts at the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University.

Gene Jones is a music historian, an actor who has appeared in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, and a narrator of several Ken Burns documentaries. He has written monographs on Tom Purpin and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and is the author of Fables in Slang, a ragtime revue.