The flugelhorn offers a different voice in jazz—softer, warmer, and more intimate than the trumpet. With its wider bore and conical shape, the flugelhorn produces a mellow tone that invites reflection rather than fanfare.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

From the very beginning, the trumpet has been a defining voice in jazz. In early New Orleans ensembles, it carried the melody—bold, clear, and leading the way.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

Few artists pushed the boundaries of jazz like Sun Ra. Composer, bandleader, and visionary, Sun Ra believed music could reshape consciousness.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

In jazz history, record labels helped shape it. No label did that more profoundly than Blue Note Records.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

When people think of Southern jazz, New Orleans often gets the spotlight—but the music’s story stretches far beyond the Crescent City.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

In 1959, at the height of his career, saxophonist Sonny Rollins disappeared from the jazz scene. But Rollins wasn’t done -- he was searching. He found his practice space high above New York City on the Williamsburg Bridge.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

Jazz has always been rich in creativity—but making a living as a jazz artist can be a different story. From the earliest days of big bands to today’s streaming era, musicians have had to balance artistry with economic reality.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

Jazz has always been more than notes—it’s a conversation, a release, and a way to center the mind. When musicians improvise, they enter a state of focused presence. The past and the future fall away, and the only thing that matters is the phrase unfolding in the moment. That’s mindfulness.

Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.