Martin Luther King Jr on Jazz
God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create—and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and
Mark Rapp Meets with Governor Henry McMaster
On December 20, 2018, the founder of the ColaJazz organization Mark Rapp met with SC Governor Henry McMaster to advocate for our jazz community in Columbia, SC and throughout South Carolina. Mark revealed to the Governor our vibrant jazz community
This Week in Jazz: Chico O’ Farrill
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 in Jazz: Dizzy Gillespie
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: Ray Anderson
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,
This Week in Jazz: Thelonious Monk
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