Donna Coleman - Havana to Harlem (2012)

World renowned pianist Donna Coleman takes the listener on a colourful musical journey tracing the evolution of the popular style of piano playing known as ragtime from its roots in the folk music of the Caribbean islands, the Ivory Coast of Africa, the minstrel stage, and the saloons and dance halls of New Orleans, to the apex of its popularity in the first decade of the twentieth century and beyond to its transformation into stride piano and ultimately, jazz. With the added bonus of Dr Coleman's copious and informative liner notes, this disc provides an unusually rich guided tour through some of America's best loved music.