Rapp on Jazz

Charleston native George Kenny, born in 1932, may not have been a household name, but his influence ran deep in jazz.

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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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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; each musician contributed equally. 

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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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Jazz history isn’t just a man’s story—it’s been shaped, driven, and revolutionized by women from the beginning.

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There’s something magical about a jazz trio—just three instruments, yet a world of sound.

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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 history to prepare versatile musicians. 

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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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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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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 Coltrane’s soaring sax.

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