TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Radio has played a pivotal role in spreading the sound of jazz across America and around the world. In the early 20th century, radio brought live jazz into homes for the very first time, making stars out of artists like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. Shows like NBC’s Let’s Dance and The Cotton Club Hour introduced swing and big band music to millions, bridging racial and geographic divides through the airwaves.
For African American artists, radio was both a challenge and a breakthrough, facing barriers and offering platforms beyond segregated venues. Local DJs and late-night jazz programs helped cultivate fan bases, foster community, and inspire generations of musicians.
Even today, shows like this one—Rapp on Jazz and ColaJazz Presents—carry on that legacy by showcasing the artistry, history, and vitality of jazz.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.