Wilbur Coleman Sweatman (February 7, 1882 – March 9, 1961) was an American ragtime and dixieland jazz composer, bandleader and clarinetist.

Wilbur's father ran a barbershop in the riverside town to provide for his family, which also included daughters Eva and Lula.

His older sister Eva was responsible for much of Wilbur Sweatman's early music training, teaching him to play piano.

In addition, he worked with Dave Peyton and William Henry "Billy" Dorsey to arrange and transcribe music for other performers.

[3] An Indianapolis account described his performance there: Though somewhat diminutive in stature, Wilbur C. Sweatman has a style and grace of manner in all of his executions that is at once convincing, and the soulfulness of expression that he blends into his tones is something wonderful.

Joplin's musical papers, including unpublished manuscripts, were willed to Sweatman, who took care of them while generously sharing access to those who inquired.

[4] In 1918, Sweatman landed with major label Columbia Records, where he would enjoy a meteoric rise with a wide variety of songs under his own name.

The Sweatman band's first release, "Regretful Blues"/"Everybody's Crazy" would ship 140,000 copies, at a time when a third as many sales was considered a hit.

However, by 1920 sales were on the wane, perhaps reflecting the ephemeral interest in his novelty style of jazz, and the growing popularity of syncopated big bands such as Columbia's own Ted Lewis.

He continued playing in New York through the 1940s and early 1950s, but increasingly concentrated his efforts on the music publishing business and talent booking.

[6] The estate, which also included the papers of Scott Joplin, eventually ended up in the hands of Sweatman's sister Eva.