Past Festivals
The Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Festival was first held in 2007. The name of the Festival highlighted the importance of ragtime - America's first popular music - and Charles H. Templeton, Sr.'s love of it. This first Festival featured a variety of internationally known ragtime performers.
In later years, the Festival's organizers decided to broaden its appeal and include more genres. They changed the name to "Charles H. Templeton, Sr. Ragtime and Jazz Festival." The rebranded Festival included performers who specialized in jazz, stride, boogie, blues, and more.
Festival organizers have also implemented an outreach program. Each year, Festival performers play at local schools and assisted living facilities, providing people of all ages with opportunities to enjoy their music.
The Festival is sponsored by MSU Libraries and the Charles H. Templeton, Sr. Music Museum, and made possible thanks to partnerships with MSU's Department of Music; the Office of Public Affairs; the Division of Student Affairs; the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President; and many others. Local business and arts organizations have also provided generous support.
2022
Featuring Donald Ryan, Adam Swanson, and The Sweet&Hot Quartet
2021
A virtual Festival, featuring the Brunious-Hook Duo, Ivory&Gold, Josh Duffee, Millenia Musicae, and TJ Müller
2020
Featuring Jeff Barnhart, Bill Edwards, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, and Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi
2019
Featuring Hal Smith, Dave Bennett, Martin Spitznagel, Larisa Migachyov, and Jeff Barnhart.
2018
Featuring Jeff Barnhart, Steve Cheseborough, Eddie Erickson, Kris Tokarski, and Ivory&Gold®.
2017
Featuring Jeff Barnhart, Dan Levinson’s Roof Garden Jass Band, and Brian Holland
2016
Featuring Paolo Alderighi, Tom Hook, Reginald Robinson, Rosangela Sebba, and Stephanie Trick, with Jeff Barnhart as Artistic Director
2015
Featuring Richard Dowling, Ivory&Gold®, Scott Kirby, and Dave Majchrzak, with Jeff Barnhart as Artistic Director
2014
Featuring Mimi Blais, Martin Spitznagel, Virginia Tichenor, and Stephanie Trick, with Jeff Barnhart as Artistic Director
2013
Featuring Jeff Barnhart, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, and Sonny Leyland
2012
Featuring Brian Holland, Jeff Barnhart, Sonny Leyland, Martin Spitznagel, and David Jasen
2011
Featuring Jim Hession, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, Sue Keller, and David Jasen
2010
Frederick Hodges, David Jasen, Sonny Leyland, Adam Swanson, and Terry Waldo
2009
The Festival was renamed the Ragtime Jazz Festival, and featured Mimi Blais, Brian Holland, Sonny Leyland, Butch Thompson, and David Jasen.
2008
Featuring Mimi Blais, Marty Eggers, Frederick Hodges, Brian Holland, David Jasen, David Reffkin, Bob Seeley, and Virginia Tichenor
2007
In 2007, the concert series was expanded and renamed as the Charles Templeton Ragtime Music Festival. The concert featured Jeff Barnhart, Mimi Blais, Neville Dickie, Tracy Doyle, David Jasen, Sue Keller, David Reffkin, Virginia Tichenor, and Richard Zimmerman.
2006 & earlier
Prior to 2006, the Festival was called “In Ragged Time: An Encounter with American Ragtime Music.” This three-part series featured pianist Richard Zimmerman and the Etcetera String Band, and was presented by the Mississippi State University Television Center in cooperation with The Department of Music Education and The Templeton Museum.
