Matthew de Lacey Davidson’s latest composition (Three Ineffable Rags, 2026) is a suite of three short piano rags. Davidson’s tonal style is dissonant yet soft-edged. Mystical Moving Madness, dedicated to Jeff and Anne Barnhart, is a slowly strolling two-step with a surprise quotation of Jeff’s Mystic Memories (itself another quality contemporary rag) at the end. Fandango Festoon (fandango being a vibrant pinkish color) is in the unusual rag keys of D and A major and contains tango elements. The deceptive cadence (vi, B minor) in measure 12 of the A section has a surprising twist when that section returns later in the piece: the second time, the music rests in C minor.
I enjoy the roving harmonies and unusual chord colors of these brand-new rags. The non-traditional final chords of these pieces are notable in this regard (the closing measures of Mystical Moving Madness are shown above). Gila-Monster Gum-Drops is described by the composer as a pastiche of themes by Robin Frost; it is an uptempo piece that Stride and Novelty specialists would enjoy playing. The score for Three Ineffable Rags can be purchased on the American Composers Alliance website (composers.com/products/three-ineffable-rags).
![JazzAffair](https://syncopatedtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Angela.png" "JazzAffair")
Brandon Byrne is a ragtime composer, performer, and scholar. Max Morath said of Byrne, “Brandon’s unique compositions display unparalleled gifts and hidden virtuosity. His music reflects the past and challenges the future. His playing will touch your soul.” For a full list of his compositions, please visit his website.
