Growing Up in Rochester with Bob Milne

“Growing Up in Rochester with Bob Milne” to be feature presentation at the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s Brown Bag Meeting on March 7

The Rochester-Avon Historical Society will present “Growing Up in Rochester” with Ragtime pianist Bob Milne at its Brown Bag lunchtime meeting at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Avenue, on Tuesday, March 7 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. 

Milne, considered by many to be the best ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist in the world, will discuss growing up in Rochester. He graduated from Rochester High School, where he played in the school band.

After excelling as a French horn virtuoso at the Eastman School of Music, Milne taught himself to play the piano. Early in his new career, he found ragtime music on nearby player pianos and noticed how much listeners enjoyed hearing it. Milne’s “internship” playing ragtime music on the piano lasted 25 years. He later wrote a book about his experiences playing ragtime titled, “The Journeyman Piano Player.”

Known as a “ragtimist” (a term he coined), Milne quickly became a dedicated student and presenter of this American form of music. He has acquired both a vast repertoire of tunes and an extensive knowledge of the history of ragtime music. During his presentations, Milne incorporates the history and stories of various ragtime piano players.

Milne has played for functions attended by statesmen, senators, and congressmen with command performances for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C. The Library of Congress designated him a “National Treasure” when they documented Milne’s expertise for future generations of music fans.

This program is free & open to the public, no registration required. Students are welcome. Bring your lunch. Complimentary coffee, tea, and cookies will be provided.

The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) was founded in 1969 to help preserve, collect and interpret the history of the greater Rochester area for present and future generations. For more information, including a list of upcoming events, visit online at www.rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org