Billy Dee Williams
— Scott Joplin
Clifton Davis
— Chauvin
Margaret Avery
— Belle Joplin
Eubie Blake
— Will Williams
Godfrey Cambridge
— Tom Turpin
Seymour Cassel
— Dr. Jaelki
DeWayne Jessie
— John The Baptist
Mabel King
— Madam Amy
Taj Mahal
— Poor Alfred
Spo-De-Odee
— Left Hand of God
Art Carney
— John Stark
David Healy
— Sam Bundler
Samuel Fuller
— Impresario
Leon Charles
— Liebling
Fred Pinkard
— Dr. Adams
Delos V. Smith Jr.
— Wallis
Marcus J. Grapes
— Rabin
Denise Gordy
— The Girl
Rita Ross
— Girl With Note
William King
— The Minstrel Singers
Ronald La Pread
— The Minstrel Singers
Thomas McClary
— The Minstrel Singers
Walter Orange
— The Minstrel Singers
Lionel Richie
— The Minstrel Singers
Milan Williams
— The Minstrel Singers
David Raynr
— Young Scott Joplin
DarNella Allen
— Mother
Bob Harks
— Workman (uncredited)
Eugene Jackson
— Piano Contest Spectator (uncredited)
Ron Taylor
— John Stark's Driver (uncredited)