TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
From the early days of jazz, a remarkable musical exchange flowed across the Atlantic—connecting the creativity of Harlem with the cultural embrace of Paris.
After World War I, African American musicians like Sidney Bechet and Josephine Baker found in Paris a freedom they were denied at home. Their music captivated audiences, inspiring a deep French love affair with jazz.
The sounds of bebop and the Harlem Renaissance crossed the ocean through touring musicians and recordings, influencing French composers, writers, and filmmakers.
In return, Paris offered jazz artists respect, opportunity, and a new artistic community where experimentation was welcome.
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.