Cecil Duane Crabb
Encyclopedia
Cecil Duane Crabb was an American composer of ragtime
music and a member of Indianapolis group of ragtime composers.
He was born in Centerville, Indiana
to James and Sarah E. Crabb. He moved to Indianapolis
in 1908. Crabb composed only four albeit significant ragtime pieces including his best known Fluffly Ruffles from 1907. He had a job at a small publishing firm J.H. Aufderheide & Company that published ragtime by Indianapolis composers. Originally a sign painter, he had also designed cover art for ragtimes of Aufderheide composers, such as May Aufderheide
(Dusty Rag) and Will B. Morrison. His primary career was in the sign business as co-owner for many years of the Indianapolis firm Staley and Crabb, now known as Staley Signs. He died in Wisconsin
at the age of 62 and was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery
in Indianapolis. He had at least three children, one of whom became Brig. General Cecil D. Crabb.
Ragtime
Ragtime is an original musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being published...
music and a member of Indianapolis group of ragtime composers.
He was born in Centerville, Indiana
Centerville, Indiana
Centerville is a town in Center Township, Wayne County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,552 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Centerville is located at , at an altitude of 1,014 feet . U.S...
to James and Sarah E. Crabb. He moved to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
in 1908. Crabb composed only four albeit significant ragtime pieces including his best known Fluffly Ruffles from 1907. He had a job at a small publishing firm J.H. Aufderheide & Company that published ragtime by Indianapolis composers. Originally a sign painter, he had also designed cover art for ragtimes of Aufderheide composers, such as May Aufderheide
May Aufderheide
May Frances Aufderheide Kaufman was an American composer of ragtime music. She was probably the best known among female ragtime composers...
(Dusty Rag) and Will B. Morrison. His primary career was in the sign business as co-owner for many years of the Indianapolis firm Staley and Crabb, now known as Staley Signs. He died in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
at the age of 62 and was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
in Indianapolis. He had at least three children, one of whom became Brig. General Cecil D. Crabb.
List of compositions
- Fluffly Ruffles - Two Step (1907)
- Orinoco (1909)
- Trouble (1909, with Will B. Morrison)
- The Klassicle Rag (1911)