Ragtime’s Westport Connection

Westporter Roger Kaufman (r ) poses tonight with Andrew Greene, founder, conductor, and director of the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, before its performance at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Kaufman is the grandson of Mel B. Kaufman, a little known, ladies lingerie salesman and ragtime composer of “Me-Ow” (sheet music on his t-shirt) and “Taxi.” The Westporter came upon Greene by chance on the Internet and found him to be an expert on his grandfather and his music. He even led the grandson to his grandfather’s grave in Queens, N.Y., which he did not know existed. Long story short – Roger Kaufman is now executive producing with Greene’s orchestra and a Mel Kaufman biographical CD.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo