Rapp on Jazz
Rapp on Jazz, co-produced by South Carolina Public Radio and the ColaJazz Foundation, highlights the Palmetto State's connection to the history of jazz music and the current jazz scene. Join Mark Rapp, executive director of the foundation and host of SC Public Radio’s ColaJazz Presents, for these 60-second segments covering everything from famous South Carolinians like Dizzy Gillespie and Eartha Kitt to the “Big Apple” dance craze of the 1930s to the best clubs to experience jazz in the state.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Episodes
- 114
- Years Active
- 2025
Oscar Lee Mack
Oscar Lee Mack, another lesser-known jazz musician from South Carolina, was born in Sumter County around 1936.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.
00:00:59 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Space in jazz
Space is vital in jazz, exemplified by the Bill Evans Trio—Bill Evans on piano, Scott LaFaro on bass, and Paul Motian on drums. This group showcased equal contribution, with Evans’ introspective soun…
00:00:59 |
Thu 04 Sep 2025
Dr. Matt White
As Director of Jazz Studies at the University of South Carolina, Dr. Matt White is an accomplished trumpeter and educator as well as a gifted arranger and composer whose work bridges tradition and in…
00:01:00 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
The Left Bank Big Band
One name stands out when it comes to swinging, sophisticated big band sound in South Carolina: the Left Bank Big Band at the University of South Carolina.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponja…
00:00:59 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
University of South Carolina School of Music
The University of South Carolina School of Music is celebrating a century of musical excellence. For 100 years, it has been a beacon for aspiring musicians, educators, and scholars.
Visit southcar…
00:00:59 |
Fri 29 Aug 2025
George Kenny
Charleston native George Kenny, born in 1932, may not have been a household name, but his influence ran deep in jazz.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.
00:00:59 |
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Jabbo Smith
Jabbo Smith was born in 1908 in Pembroke, Georgia. At just six years old, he entered the Jenkins Orphanage in Charleston, SC, where he discovered his passion for music.
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00:00:59 |
Wed 27 Aug 2025
Bill Evans Trio
To hear how three instruments can truly breathe, listen to the Bill Evans Trio, especially with Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. This ensemble wasn’t just a typical piano-led group; eac…
00:00:59 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Ballads
In jazz, speed impresses—but it’s the ballad that reveals the soul. Slow tunes like “Body and Soul” or “My Funny Valentine” aren’t just romantic standards, they’re emotional X-rays.
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00:00:59 |
Mon 25 Aug 2025
Women's influence on jazz
Jazz history isn’t just a man’s story—it’s been shaped, driven, and revolutionized by women from the beginning.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.
00:00:59 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Jazz trios
There’s something magical about a jazz trio—just three instruments, yet a world of sound.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.
00:00:59 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Jazz on South Carolina campuses
Jazz is thriving in South Carolina, especially on college campuses. The University of South Carolina has become a major player in jazz education, with programs that combine performance, theory, and h…
00:00:59 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
South Carolina jazz venues
South Carolina has long been a crossroads for jazz, and some of its most potent moments happened in venues that may not even exist today, but their echoes still swing.
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00:00:59 |
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Terri Lyne Carrington
Grammy-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington’s career bridges generations, from touring with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter to founding the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice.
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00:01:00 |
Mon 18 Aug 2025
Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones revolutionized the use of polyrhythms. As the drummer for John Coltrane’s classic quartet, he brought a cyclonic energy, layering rhythm over rhythm, creating a powerful swirl beneath Col…
00:01:00 |
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Max Roach
When it comes to polyrhythms in jazz, one name stands out—Max Roach. This pioneer of bebop and beyond used the drum kit like a full orchestra. He played multiple rhythms simultaneously, often inverti…
00:00:59 |
Thu 14 Aug 2025
Polyrhythms
Polyrhythms are multiple rhythms played simultaneously and are the heartbeat of much jazz music. They add complexity, surprise, and an irresistible groove that keeps listeners hooked.
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00:00:59 |
Wed 13 Aug 2025
Charleston Jazz Foundation
The Charleston Jazz Foundation is a gateway to a vibrant music, education, and community world. Founded in 2008, the Foundation is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Charleston’s rich history in…
00:00:59 |
Tue 12 Aug 2025
Greenville Jazz Collective
South Carolina’s jazz scene shines brightly in Greenville, thanks to the Greenville Jazz Collective. Formed by passionate local musicians, this group is dedicated to nurturing jazz talent and bringin…
00:00:59 |
Mon 11 Aug 2025
The Harlem Hellfighters
The Harlem Hellfighters were more than just a legendary infantry regiment in World War I—they were pioneers in bringing jazz to the world stage.
Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for ful…
00:00:59 |
Fri 08 Aug 2025
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