The Rhythmia

This rag was the first big hit to come out of Kansas City and was Kelly’s only national hit. The introduction was used note-for-note as the introduction to Good Gravy Rag (1913), by Harry Belding, and Brun Campbell’s Ginger Snap Rag (unpublished). The interlude between the repeat of the trio was used by Jerome Kern in part of Ol’ Man River (1927) from the musical Showboat. These could have been folk strains commonly heard at the time, or they could have been a musical reference to the popularity of this piece. The ragtime banjo virtuoso Vess Ossman recorded a popular banjo recording of Peaceful Henry for Columbia (1902). Kelly, a bachelor till the age of 52, lived at the Elks Club in Kansas City, Missouri, and would often get into trouble with the head Elk for playing the piano at all hours of the night. He was friends with Charles L. Johnson. Peaceful Henry is dedicated to Johnson and Johnson’s Scandalous Thompson (1899) is dedicated to “my ragtime friend Mr. Harry Kelly.”

— Kevin Sanders, May, 2010