Zeke Backus is a 17-year-old ragtime enthusiast from Columbia, Missouri. He began his piano studies at age three performing regularly in his mom’s piano recitals. In a home void of videogame technology, five-year-old Zeke spent many hours a day creating his own arrangements. He has honed that skill while also playing advanced classical music with Rachmaninoff being amongst his favorites. Zeke participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) competition for many years earning 11 consecutive Superior ratings in piano and completing 12 years of music theory tests with perfect scores.
At the age of 13, Zeke discovered ragtime music. He quickly developed a love for arranging various tunes in ragtime and stride styles. The Scott Joplin Festival in Sedalia, MO, became a turning point in Zeke’s ragtime journey, sparking new inspiration and providing connections with world-class ragtime musicians. In December, Zeke performed on the Scott Joplin Christmas Parade float which was awarded first place in the Sedalia Parade. Zeke also enjoyed being a featured performer at the Eagles & Ivories Ragtime Festival in Muscatine, Iowa earlier this year.
In Zeke’s home, music is a family affair. Zeke enjoys arranging ensembles with two younger sisters on piano and being accompanied by his dad on bass. In 2025, the Backus family was awarded Missouri’s Most Musical Family by the NFMC organization. Zeke has been teaching piano with his mom for the past two years and currently showcases a studio of 14 of his own piano students. He is also studying privately with Tom Andes, a jazz professor at the University of Missouri. Outside of piano, he enjoys basketball, fishing, traveling & riding dirt bikes.
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