TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Leonard Feather was among jazz’s most influential voices—not as a performer, but as a critic, historian, and tireless advocate for the music.
Born in London in 1914, he moved to the United States, where his insightful ear and eloquent writing shaped public perceptions of jazz. Feather contributed to Down Beat, edited Metronome, and authored The Encyclopedia of Jazz, still a vital reference today.
Feather produced early recordings for icons like Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan, and George Shearing, helping bring their talents to national attention. He also championed international and underrecognized artists.
Leonard Feather ensured that the music—and the musicians who created it—received the recognition they deserved.
This has been Rapp on Jazz—a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.