Final Friday Jazz with the Mark Rapp Group

unitarian universalist church will host final friday jazz concert
liz wright may 24, 2023

on friday evening, may 26, the unitarian universalist church of
augusta will be hosting mark rapp as their final spring performer for
their final friday jazz concert at 7:30 p. M.

Rapp, famous for hosting colajazz and rapp on jazz for south
carolina public radio, said he looks forward to promoting jazz within
the greater augusta area.

“Jazz is such an important music; not only historically, but also for us
in the present day moving forward, because its about community. Its
about bringing diverse people together,” said Rapp. “Its a music about
communication, and always trying to do better and be better. Its
about finding common ground, so its vitally important.”

The mark rapp group, which is well-known in columbia, sc,
represents hip, sophisticated and cool jazz, and will perform swing,
groove, latin jazz, bebop, funk and more.

Its an eclectic program thats very interesting and exciting. Its an
adventure, he said. I hope people are amazed that such jazz talent
exists within their immediate neighborhood; [augusta] does have
amazing jazz artists that call this area home … They dont have to go
to new york or wherever to enjoy it weve got it here.

Like many jazz musicians within the area, rapp feels concerts such as
those promoted by the universalist church can help increase
augustas lack of jazz events.

I think augusta has a fantastic opportunity to explode with jazz
music. I mean youve got one of the worlds greatest jazz musicians to
have ever lived not only living in augusta, but also teaching at
augusta university thats the great wycliffe gordon, he said.
Youve got really great historical significance to the city, so i think
theres a tremendous opportunity there. These folks at the unitarian
church are really jumping in and going for it, and i think its fantastic.

Rev. Nic filzen, event organizer for the churchs concert series, said
he wanted to promote music within his community, because he
believes jazz can be closely compared to religion.

Theres a real hunger for jazz concerts here among the congregation
… Because we feel its so related to our concept for how the world is
and how the world can be, said filzen. Specifically the notion that
creation is happening all the time and that jazz is kind of the perfect
symbol of that.

Filzen also said jazz embodies his churchs belief of constant
communication and sharing ideas so it was only natural for them to
host a series of jazz concerts throughout the year.

Its something that hasnt really been in the csra; there really isnt
another organization that is doing these ongoing kind of chamber jazz
concerts that specifically focuses on the artform, he said. So, were
trying to meet all those symbolic needs all at once.

The unitarian universalist church of augusta is located at 3501
walton way ext. , augusta, ga, and tickets are on sale for $20 or $10
for students/active military. For more information or to purchase
tickets: https: //uuaugusta. Org/jazz.

I hope audiences walk away feeling inspired and that theyve learned
a little something about the jazz tradition, said rapp. I want them to
walk away feeling a little bit part of a larger community.