TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Birdland Jazz Club in New York City stands as one of jazz’s true epicenters.
It opened in 1949 and was named for the legendary alto saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. Birdland immediately became a magnet for icons like Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, and Count Basie.
The club’s unique energy fostered countless historic performances and classic live recordings that continue to influence musicians today.
Birdland was a meeting ground for creative minds, a stage for artistic breakthroughs, and a driving force in bringing jazz into the American mainstream.
Through changing eras, Birdland has stayed true to its roots, celebrating both established stars and rising talent, ensuring that the improvisational spirit and passion of jazz thrive for generations.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.