A pioneering figure in early jazz, Henry W. Ragas (1891-1919) was an American pianist and composer, best known as a founding member and pianist of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. His innovative playing and contributions to the band's recordings in the late 1910s helped define the sound of early jazz, influencing countless musicians and popularizing the genre internationally. Ragas's compositions, such as "Livery Stable Blues" and "Clarinet Marmalade," remain iconic examples of the era's vibrant musical landscape.