Someone You Should Know: Ragtime Piano Player Reginald Robinson
(CBS) -- He's a self-taught pianist and composer.
Reginald Robinson has been called a genius, and now the young musician is writing music for a Chicago dance troupe.
CBS 2's Harry Porterfield says he's someone you should know.
He was a seventh-grader living in a Chicago housing project when he heard something called ragtime music while in school. Robinson was so impressed he taught himself how to play it and compose it.
Now, after more than 20 years, he is changing the direction of music as he joins forces with the Muntu Dance Theatre.
He says it is a way to broaden his horizons.
Internationally recognized, the 40-year-old Muntu Dance Theatre is one of Chicago's contributions to the world of the performing arts. Amaniyea Payne is the artistic director.
"This is the first time we've actually had four pieces created for us and composed for us in this manner," Payne says.
A recipient of a $500,000 MacArthur "genius" grant in 2004, Robinson composed the music especially for the group. He says he's not giving up ragtime.
A performance of "Memories N' Time" time will be held this weekend at the Logan Center for the Arts.
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