Where can I buy/download recordings of piano ragtime/blues/jazz classics like Scott Joplin, etc? I'm looking for high-quality recordings, not those made 60 years ago and not receiving the "digitally remastered" treatment. So it probably has to be a relatively recent recording. Any idea?

P.S. And also, what titles should I be looking at?

Whoops, lost my connection, so I'll start again.

This is Bill Edwards' site - he's won the Peoria ragtime contest a couple of times:

http://www.perfessorbill.com/

This is Sue Keller's playing:

http://www.rtpress.com/

Her husband, hv, posts here at PW. I didn't look for the "buy it now" button but I'm sure it's there. You can pm Howard, or he might see this thread.

CDbaby has some ragtime, and usually you can listen to samples. Some of them are great.

One of my favorite cd's, and a good historical collection, is Strut That Thing: The Essential Recordings of Piano Blues and Boogie. No ragtime, but lots of early blues. It might not end up being to your taste, but it sure gives you an idea of the roots of piano blues. Amazon has it:


Strut That Thing

Cathy

Hi, Folks. Just stumbled across this thread.

CDbaby is a good place to look... most cds there have sound samples. Amazon also often does too. Don't forget I-Tunes where you can buy by the track. My rtpress site has all the appropriate links to the various distributors of my stuff.

Here's another place you should check out:

http://www.jazzbymail.com/

... I would recommend you consider cds on Bob Erdos' Stomp Off label as well as Richard Riley's Pianomania label.

Howard

Thanks for that link, Howard. I wonder if they have a Christmas gift registry, like a bridal registry? I think, however, that this where I'll send folks who want to know what I want for Christmas

Cathy

Some of the artists on youtube have websites where you can order their CDs. You can pick up some great stuff that way.

Thanks a lot for the responses. I think I'll try out CD baby

Any suggestions on what CD to buy? I like the jazz piece "Nardis" quite a lot - is there a song similar in style to this one?

You might also want to check out Tim Richard's award winning instruction book "Improvising Blues Piano".
It contains a very well thought out theory+playing+education+CD samples+ -1 tracks progression in each chapter from easy to more advanced that will get you playing blues piano from your current level.
It also contains a great list of discography of CDs and artists to listen to, most of which can be ordered online from amazon or itunes.

http://www.timrichards.ndo.co.uk/bluespianobook.html

Highly recommended.

There are also two Improvising Jazz books that follow this one. Enough to keep you busy for some time.