Martin Spitznagel
{{Infobox musical artist
| birth_name = Martin Spitznagel
| birth_date = 1982
| genre = Old-Time Piano
| occupation = Musician-Songwriter
| instrument = Piano
| years_active = 1997-Present
| label = Rivermont Records
| website = {{URL|martinspitznagel.com}}
}}
Martin Spitznagel is an American old-time pianist known for his clean and fast stride piano arrangements.
Spitznagel's career began at the age 14, when he won Calliope Media's "Crazy For Ragtime" competition in 1996 and 1997. He took home the grand prize, which was a Yamaha Disklavier Upright Piano,{{Cite web |title=Bio |url=https://www.martinspitznagel.com/bio.html |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=MARTIN SPITZNAGEL |language=en}} and he has continued to play ragtime and old-time piano music professionally every since.
Career
Since the beginning of Martin Spitznagel's career in 1997, he has been very successful in the world of professional old-time piano. In 2007, he won the New Rag Contest of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest for his composition entitled: "The Red Elephant Rag." In 2010, he won the Scott Joplin Composition Contest for his original composition, "The Train Town Rag," in honor of the town of Sedalia, Missouri.{{Cite web |title=World Piano Champ Makes Old-Time Rag Music New Again |url=https://wamu.org/story/12/04/13/world_piano_champ_makes_old_time_rag_music_new_again/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=WAMU |language=en}} In 2011, he won the Regular Division and again New Rag Contest of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest in Peoria, Illinois. He won the New Rag Contest of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest for his original composition, "The Smoky Rose." In 2017, he once again won the New Rag Contest of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest for his original piece, "Dreams of Irene."{{Cite web |title=Past Winners – World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest |url=https://oldtimepianocontest.com/past-winners/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |language=en-US}} In 2021, he won the composition contest "To The Max," in honor of renowned ragtime pianist Max Morath.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-04 |title=Max Morath new ragtime composition contest rules - The Syncopated Times |url=https://syncopatedtimes.com/max-morath-new-ragtime-composition-contest-rules/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |language=en-US}} In addition to all of these awards, he has played with many popular ragtime pianists including: Brian Holland, Adam Swanson, and many more.
Albums
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Album !Artist(s) !Year !Notes |
| Tricky Fingers
|Martin Spitznagel |2007 | |
| Star Wars: Cantina Band in Ragtime
|Martin Spitznagel and Bryan Wright |2011 |Single |
| Handful of Keys
|Martin Spitznagel |2011 | |
| Three's Company
|Martin Spitznagel, Brian Holland, and Danny Coots |2014 | |
| Friend Like Me
|Martin Spitznagel and Bryan Wright |2014 |Single, a Ragtime Cover of "Friend Like Me" from Disney's Aladdin |
| Melt Into You: A Ragtime Romance
|Martin Spitznagel |2019 |Single |
| Maple Leaf Rag (Live)
|Martin Spitznagel |2020 |Single, a recording of Spitznagel's performance of the Maple Leaf Rag at the 2011 edition of the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest |
References
External links
- https://www.martinspitznagel.com/bio.html (Martin Spitznagel's Official Website)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spitznagel, Martin}}