Theron C. Bennett
Encyclopedia
Theron Catlen Bennett was an American pianist
, ragtime
composer
, and music publisher.
Born in Pierce City, Missouri
, he graduated in 1902 from the school which is now New Mexico State University
. He worked for the Victor Kramer Co., which published some of his early compositions. He became a music publisher, and later owner of a chain of music stores. At one time he ran the Dutch Mill Cafe, a famous meeting place for musicians and artists in Denver, Colorado
. In the early 1920s, he lived in the Los Angeles
area, where he formed a jazz
band made up of USC
students. He died in Los Angeles.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, ragtime
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...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and music publisher.
Born in Pierce City, Missouri
Pierce City, Missouri
Pierce City is a city in Lawrence County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,385 at the 2000 census. In 2010, the town annexed down Missouri Route 97 into Barry County to a point just north of US Route 60.-Geography:...
, he graduated in 1902 from the school which is now New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University at Las Cruces , is a major land-grant university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States...
. He worked for the Victor Kramer Co., which published some of his early compositions. He became a music publisher, and later owner of a chain of music stores. At one time he ran the Dutch Mill Cafe, a famous meeting place for musicians and artists in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
. In the early 1920s, he lived in the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
area, where he formed a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
band made up of USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
students. He died in Los Angeles.
Selected Compositions
- Pickaninny Capers (1903)
- St. Louis Tickle (1904) [as "Barney & Seymore", usually attributed to Bennett]
- Sweet Pickles (1907) [as George E. Florence]