The Pianists
The Emcee: Ethan Uslan
Our stylish host sits on a Steinway.
Charlotte's friendly neighborhood ragtime pianist, Ethan Uslan tickles the ivories wherever there are ivories to be tickled. If you meet him, he will tell you within the first 2 minutes of the conversation that he has played ragtime on NPR's A Prairie Home Companion. Back in 2007, Ethan won the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest in Peoria, Illinois and hopes to win it again some time. In the meantime, Ethan enjoys reading mystery novels, spending time with his wife and kids, playing piano (obviously) and trying new exotic foods (like livermush). His website is www.uslanmusic.com.
Contestant #1: Perfessor Bill Edwards
Young Bill from his tadpole days.
A true master of the genre, Perfessor Bill has been playing ragtime since he was knee-high to a frog. A seasoned veteran of the ragtime circuit, the venerable Perfessor travels across the nation in his Ragmobile, spreading syncopated joy and displaying his dazzling, dexterous digits. He has entertained from the smokey saloons of Colorado, to the bright lights of Disneyland, to the distinguished Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A citizen of the great state of Virginia, Bill won the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest in 1991, and maintains a stupendous ragtime website at www.perfessorbill.com.
Contestant #2: Gunnery Sgt. Russell Wilson
The marine fraternizes with civilians.
Hail to the pianist-in-chief! Russell Wilson lives in our nation's capital, where he plays piano at a joint on Pennsylvania Avenue called "The White House." Yes, Gunnery Sergeant Wilson is a staff pianist for the US Marine Band and serves our country by entertaining our president and his distinguished guests. Trained in classical music and in jazz - Wilson is also a consummate ragtimer. When not playing the devil's music, he is active in his church and leads a bible study for teens. Wilson is a perennial fan favorite and lives with his wife and baby son.
Contestant #3: Martin "Tricky Fingers" Spitznagel
Tricky Fingers shows his pearly whites.
Mr. "Tricky Fingers" hails from Pittsburgh, PA, and his rhythm is as solid as steel. Like the great ragtime pianists of old, Martin plays by ear, composes prolifically, and is largely self-taught. With a light touch, lightning fast speed, and pinpoint accuracy, Spitznagel is simply mesmerizing, hypnotizing, and stupefying. No stranger to contests -- Martin won a brand new piano by placing first in Calliope Media's nationwide "Crazy for Ragtime" competition. A regular at all the major American ragtime festivals, Martin is happily married with no children (yet), and he is producing an independent sci-fi film called "Star Wars: Hunt for the Holocron."