This week in Jazz, we discover "Cubop" or Afro-Cuban Jazz. Chico O' Farrill was a primary influencer in the 1940s and 1950s when this style became prominent. He was born Arturo O' Farrill to an Irish Father and German mother,

This week/month in Jazz, Trumpeter "Dizzy" Gillespie was born John Birks Gillespie on October 21, 1917. Dizzy is arguably the greatest trumpeter of all time with his roots and birthplace here in South Carolina. He is co-founder of the bebop

This week in Jazz, we learn of master trombonist Ray Anderson. He was born on October 16, 1952, in Chicago, Ilinois. Ray is the Director of Jazz Studies at The State University of New York at Stony Brook since 2003,

Thelonious Monk was born on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. During his youth he managed to be banned from entering the Apollo Theater competition after winning so many times. He was largely ignored by the jazz community

This week in Jazz, violinist Jean Luc Ponty was born on September 29, 1942, in Avranches, France. He is the legendary "undisputed master of violin in the area of jazz and rock." He was born of classical musicians and even

This week in Jazz, the famed saxophonist/bandleader/composer John Coltrane was born on September 23, 1926, in Hamlet, North Carolina. Early in his career he was fortunate to play with other jazz greats such as Dizzie Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Miles