Carol J. Binkowski

writer

Check out Carol's new biography of Joseph F. Lamb, one of classic ragtime's "big three" composers. This is the story of his life, his music, and his era.

Carol J. Binkowski writes about music, history, biography, travel, and related subjects. Her newest book, a biography of ragtime composer Joseph F. Lamb, has just been published by McFarland & Company. Previous books have included a musical history and walking tour of New York City as well as collaborations on a collection of women's biographies and a social history of popular sheet music.

Her essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Literary Traveler, The Christian Science Monitor, AAA Traveler, The New York Daily News, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, Grit, Clavier, Writers’ Journal, and The Optimist, among other publications. She has been a long-time book reviewer for Library Journal, specializing in music and the arts, and received their Special Reviewer's Citation in 2011. Carol has also created and presented programs on music and history for cultural and educational organizations.

Carol's Books

Joseph F. Lamb: A Passion for Ragtime

(McFarland & Company, 2012) ***NEW

Musical New York: An Informal Guide to Its History and Legends AND A Walking Tour of Its Sites and Landmarks

(Camino Books, 1999)

More Than Petticoats: Remarkable New Jersey Women

(co-authored with Lynn Wenzel -- Globe Pequot Press, 2003)

I Hear America Singing: A Nostalgic Tour of Popular Sheet Music
(co-authored with Lynn Wenzel -- Crown, 1989)

Links to Other Selected Writings

The Washington Post -- "Old Table Has a Special Place in a Family's Traditions" (November 24, 2008)

originally published as "Setting a Place for a New Family's Traditions"

The Christian Science Monitor -- "Home Sweet Storage Unit" (June 24, 2008)

The New York Times -- "But the Songs Remain the Same" (May 11, 2008)

The New York Times -- "Love Triangle" (November 4, 2007)

Literary Traveler.com -- "Discovering Winston Churchill in Fulton, Missouri" (August 2007)

The New York Times -- "A Drastic Cure for Procrastination" (May 6, 2007)

Additional Selected Writings

AAA TRAVELER
"Great Cities, Great Music: Five Tuneful American Destinations:
(September/October 2007)

WRITERS' JOURNAL
"Six Clues to Potential Markets" (March 2007)

CLAVIER
"My Dear Old Piano" (January 2007)
"Rediscovering Clementi" (September 2005)
"Ragtime in Peoria" (May/June 2005)
"Pencil-Marked Scores Constitute a Treasure of Interpretations" (April 2003)
"The Allure of the Trumpet to One Lonely Pianist" (Jay/June 2002)

GRIT
"Contest Highlights Music of Simpler Time" (May 2004)

THE INSTRUMENTALIST
"Delayed Wisdom" (January 2002)

NEW BIOGRAPHY!
Includes over three dozen photographs, notes, appendices, bibliography, and index. With a foreword by Patricia Lamb Conn and Robert J. Lamb. Available now from McFarland & Company.

JOSEPH F. LAMB (1887-1960) WAS ONE OF CLASSIC RAGTIME'S "BIG THREE" ALONG WITH SCOTT JOPLIN AND JAMES SCOTT. HIS WORKS INCLUDE THE POPULAR "RAGTIME NIGHTINGALE," "SENSATION," "TOP LINER RAG," "AMERICAN BEAUTY RAG," "BOHEMIA RAG," AND OTHERS -- COMPOSITIONS THAT REMAIN VIBRANTLY FRESH TODAY AND ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR AMERICAN MUSICAL HERITAGE.

JOSEPH F. LAMB: A PASSION FOR RAGTIME

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION