Fan Casting Ragtime Ghosts

Set against the electric nightlife of early 1900s St. Louis, Ragtime Ghosts dives into the short but influential life of Louis Chauvin, a young prodigy who became one of ragtime’s most talented — yet forgotten — voices. As a mixed-race pianist navigating the racially charged clubs of St. Louis, Chauvin faced discrimination, poverty, and health challenges that threatened to silence his brilliance. His natural genius and effortless improvisation would earn him the admiration of peers and audiences alike, yet fame and fortune eluded him. The film opens with Chauvin at his peak, captivating audiences with melodies that float through the streets, even as he grapples with worsening health and the unforgiving constraints of his era. Through powerful performances, viewers experience the allure of ragtime music in its earliest, most passionate form. The story is laced with iconic figures like Scott Joplin, who recognizes Chauvin's gift and fights to preserve his legacy even after Chauvin's untimely death at just 27.