“Lowcountry to the Big Easy: A Jazz Story” Premieres at Piccolo Spoleto

Trumpeter Mark Rapp & Soda City Brass Band bring jazz history to life in a soulful, story-driven concert experience

As part of this year’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival, the City of Charleston, Awendaw Green and the award-winning ColaJazz Foundation presents Roots of Rhythm: Charleston to Congo Square — a riveting, one-night-only musical journey exploring how Charleston and New Orleans helped birth America’s greatest art form: jazz.

Starring acclaimed trumpeter Mark Rapp and his explosive Soda City Brass Band, this captivating performance blends live music, storytelling, and cultural history into an engaging concert experience. Through powerful narration and iconic tunes like Wade in the Water, The Charleston, St. James Infirmary, and When the Saints Go Marching In, audiences will discover the shared African American roots between Gullah rhythms, gospel traditions, and the Second Line beat.

“It’s a celebration of heritage, of sound, and of the powerful role Black culture played in shaping jazz,” says Mark Rapp. “Charleston and New Orleans are sister cities in this story. We're telling that story through the music.”

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast, history lover, or simply seeking an unforgettable night at Piccolo Spoleto, Lowcountry to the Big Easy: A Jazz Story promises to entertain, educate, and uplift.