About this artist

Although I grew up studying and playing classical piano, as a teenager, I was influenced by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Yes, and particulary the earlier Elton John albums. At the same time I fondly remember listening to my parents' vinyl record of Van Cliburn's "My Favorite Chopin".

After university, I joined a band called City Limits with my childhood friends, the Rodenburg brothers. I met Gary Barratt through David Rodenburg. Gary and I formed "Doctor Drums and the Ragtime Kidd" and we became quite busy throughout the 1980s.

I studied ragtime under Toronto artists Bob Fenton and John Arpin. Other ragtime performers I really like are William Bolcom, Roger Shields and James Levine. For Boogie Woogie I like Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, Dr. John and Michael Kaeshammer.

Interview with Ross MacLachlan on ragtime and boogie-woogie following "Not Just Ragtime" Concert Nov 2008 in Currie Hall, Kingston, ON. Ross talks about his interest in ragtime, boogie woogie, his influences and the difference between the two styles. Concert footage is included. Thanks for the production by Curtis Brunet of KTown Source, filming by Dave McCallum and interview by Doreen Edmunds. Thanks also to Gary Barratt on drums and Tim Roberts on sax.

As the Ragtime Kidd, I had the privilege of playing piano for Princess Diana when she visited Kingston, ON Canada in 1991.