Canadian pianist John Arpin, dubbed the "Chopin of Ragtime" by jazz great Eubie Blake, has died.
Arpin died of cancer Nov. 8 in Toronto. He was 70.
Canadian composer, recording artist and entertainer John Arpin.
(JohnArpin.com)
The three-time Juno nominee recorded more than 60 albums in his career, including the complete works of Scott Joplin, three albums with Maureen Forrester and treatments of Broadway hits, honky-tonk and spirituals.
His compositions include the theme song to children's shows Polka Dot Door and Polka Dot Shorts, and Jogging Along, which was the theme song for CBC radio program Morningside in the 1970s.
Born in Port McNicoll, Ont., on Dec. 3, 1936, Arpin graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music and then studied music at the University of Toronto.
He began his career in Toronto in 1957 and had a solo career starting in the 1960s as a pianist in Toronto bars and hotel lounges, such as the Ports of Call, Mr. Tony's, the Windsor Arms and the King Edward hotel.
Arpin joined CTV as a regular music director in the late 1960s. In 1984, he moved to TVOntario's Polka Dot Door.
Always a versatile performer, he also acted as music arranger for artists such as Keath Barrie, the Carlton Showband, Tommy Hunter and Roy Payne.
Arpin was known for mastering diverse musical styles — everything from classics to stride piano, bebop, traditional jazz, film and pop music flowed from his fingers in concert.
His performances were sprinkled with historical anecdotes about the music and its creators.
Arpin was a popular Sunday afternoon regular in the McMichael Gallery's lobby in Kleinburg for more than two decades.
Ragtime artist worked with Forrester, Pitre
He also played with small orchestras and at summer festivals throughout southern Ontario.
Concurrent with his own concert career, Arpin also served as music director and accompanist to Canadian contralto Forrester and to actress Louise Pitre.
Arpin was respected as a top ragtime musician and recording artist and he won the 1998 Scott Joplin Award from a foundation in Missouri dedicated to preserving ragtime.
His composition Lyric Suite for Piano, Strings and Percussion won first prize at the Yamaha Second International Original Concert in Tokyo.
His albums include Arpin at the Opera, Ragtime on Broadway, The Greatest Hits of Al Jolson, The Things I Love and Blue Gardenia.
Arpin is survived by his wife and three children.
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