TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Detroit has long been a powerhouse in American industry—and in American jazz.
In the mid-20th century, the Motor City’s working-class neighborhoods produced a wave of extraordinary musicians who shaped the sound of modern jazz. Hard-swinging, soulful, and disciplined, Detroit players carried the spirit of their community into every note.
Artists like Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, Donald Byrd, Elvin Jones, and Kenny Burrell honed their craft in local clubs and music programs supported by the city’s strong public schools and unionized workforce. Their music reflected the determination and pride of families who labored in factories by day and danced at night.
This has been Rapp On Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by Layman Publishing Partners, celebrating 50 years of expert content creation, authoritative information management, and standards-driven print and digital production.