We teamed up with Richland Library to reach new audiences of jazz lovers in the Midlands and to create awareness of the library’s extensive jazz collections. Below is a partial roundup of social media posts from April 2021! Jazz Appreciation Month (fondly known as “JAM”) was created at the Smithsonian Museum in 2001 to recognize … Read more
A collaboration between South Carolina Public Radio and The ColaJazz Foundation, ColaJazz Presents is a special limited series featuring performances from a diverse group of South Carolina’s top jazz musicians, plus interviews with the artists offering intimate perspectives into their lives, communities, and passion for music. Join host Mark Rapp, executive director of The ColaJazz Foundation, Sunday nights, … Read more
The 2021 ColaJazz Fest weekend presents a an all local lineup and a mega jazz star Saturday, May 1, 7pm – 11pm at The Senate and Sunday, May 2, 7:30pm at the Koger Center for the Arts. A monumental moment for arts and culture in the Midlands is here! A #supportlocal themed night of the … Read more
The ColaJazz Foundation is the recipient of the 2021 Governor’s Award alongside some wonderful artists including Charlton Singleton, Tayloe Harding, Jennifer C Evins, Marjory Wentworth and in business, Colonial Life. The Governor’s Awards for the Arts is the highest honor the state gives in the arts to recognize outstanding achievement and contributions to the arts … Read more
2020 was an epic year in so many ways. The ColaJazz Foundation Board of Directors presents this video summarizing the highlights of our work in 2020. The ColaJazz Foundation stepped up from the very beginnings of the COVID19-pandemic. We have pushed forward ensuring jazz programming and engagement for our community and work for our musicians. … Read more
The The Wall Street Journal picked up on our hard work in 2020! https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-face-of-charitable-giving-during-the-pandemic-11611334800 “The pandemic has inspired a wave of charitable giving—some through traditional methods, some by more innovative means.” Here’s our mention… ‘Mark Rapp, a trumpet player in Columbia, S.C, has used music to help others. “Within 48 hours after Covid hit in … Read more
The ColaJazz Foundation is proud to announce that Luther J. Battiste III has been elected to serve on its board of directors. Battiste is a founding shareholder of Johnson, Toal & Battiste, P.A., and the National President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He received his B.A. from the University of South Carolina and JD … Read more
This past weekend, I was asked to give a eulogy for Paul Bodamer. This is what I said… “Life is like the oil within a lamp. It can be measured, but the pace at which it burns depends on how the dial is turned day by day, how bright and fierce the flame. And there … Read more