Rapp on Jazz

South Carolina has produced some exceptional jazz talent -- artists who have shaped the past and continue to define the future.

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When people think of jazz, they often think of New Orleans or New York, but South Carolina has its deep jazz roots and rising rhythm.

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Pianist Keith Jarrett is renowned for his improvisational genius and his ability to blend classical and jazz elements. 

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Jazz didn’t just grow, it took root in cities across America, each with its own sound and story.

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South Carolina has nurtured some incredible women in jazz—voices that have broken barriers, lifted spirits, and redefined the sound.

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Women have shaped jazz from the very beginning—on the mic, at the piano, and behind the bandstand.

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Jazz festivals in America are more than entertainment—they’re living classrooms of history, culture, and innovation.

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Nina Simone, born in 1933 in Tryon, North Carolina, was a multifaceted artist whose blend of jazz, blues, classical, and soul genres created a unique style all her own.

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One of the most frequent questions is how jazz musicians know when to play. The answer lies in a deep understanding of form, feel, and listening. 

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Blues guitarist and singer Wes Mackey was born December 12, 1942, in the Big State community near Yemassee, South Carolina.

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