Rapp on Jazz

Trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis is a true beacon of musical genius born in the vibrant city of New Orleans in 1961, hailing from a rich musical lineage.

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Esperanza Spalding is bassist, vocalist, and composer whose genre-bending style has transformed contemporary jazz. She made history in 2011 as the first jazz artist to win the Grammy for Best New Artist. 

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Charles Buddy Bolden or “King” Bolden was born in 1877 and left an indelible mark on the world of Jazz before passing in 1931. This incredible African-American musician played a pivotal role in shaping the New Orleans style of ragtime music, affectionately referred to as "jass," which later evolved into jazz.

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Jazz is noted for celebrating some of its brightest stars with dazzling titles. The names in the pantheon of jazz royalty include Buddy "King" Bolden, Benny Goodman, King Oliver, and Nat King Cole. 

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John Henry Hammond, born in 1910, was a groundbreaking producer and promoter of jazz.

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Jazz is an odd word. Not surprisingly, no one agrees on how it came to be.

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Charles Henry Christian, born July 29, 1916, was an American swing and jazz guitarist. He was among the first electric guitarists and was a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz

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Few songs are as closely associated with a single performer as “Strange Fruit” and Billie Holiday. The song protests the lynching of Black Americans with lyrics that compare the victims to the fruit of trees.

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Ella Fitzgerald, affectionately known as the "First Lady of Song" and the "Queen of Jazz," captivated audiences with her extraordinary vocal range, mesmerizing improvisational talents, and remarkable versatility.

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Jazz singer and pianist Sarah Vaughan affectionately nicknamed “Sassy” and the “Divine One,” was an extraordinary talent who blended technical brilliance with heartfelt emotion. 

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