TRANSCRIPT:
Hi, I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
One name stands out when it comes to swinging, sophisticated big band sound in South Carolina: the Left Bank Big Band at the University of South Carolina.
Formed as part of USC’s thriving jazz program, the Left Bank Big Band keeps the classic big band tradition alive while pushing into new territory —playing everything from Count Basie and Thad Jones to original student arrangements and contemporary charts.
Performing on campus and across the state, the Left Bank Big Band is more than just a student ensemble—it’s a proving ground for the next generation of jazz talent. Their concerts are tight, exciting, and deeply rooted in the swing tradition, reminding us that big band jazz is far from a thing of the past.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and South Carolina Public Radio, made possible by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.