Charleston native George Kenny, born in 1932, may not have been a household name, but his influence ran deep in jazz.

Jabbo Smith was born in 1908 in Pembroke, Georgia. At just six years old, he entered the Jenkins Orphanage in Charleston, South Carolina, where he discovered his passion for music.

To hear how three instruments can truly breathe, listen to the Bill Evans Trio, especially with Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. This ensemble wasn’t just a typical piano-led group; each musician contributed equally.

In jazz, speed impresses, but it’s the ballad that reveals the soul.

Jazz history isn’t just a man’s story—it’s been shaped, driven, and revolutionized by women from the beginning.

There’s something magical about a jazz trio—just three instruments, yet a world of sound.

Jazz is thriving in South Carolina, especially on college campuses.

South Carolina has long been a crossroads for jazz, and some of its most potent moments happened in venues that may not even exist today, but their echoes still swing.

Elvin Jones revolutionized the use of polyrhythms. As the drummer for John Coltrane’s classic quartet, he brought a cyclonic energy, layering rhythm over rhythm, creating a powerful swirl beneath Coltrane’s soaring sax.

When it comes to polyrhythms in jazz, one name stands out—Max Roach. This pioneer of bebop and beyond used the drum kit like a full orchestra. He played multiple rhythms simultaneously, often inverting time signatures.