Buck Clayton

During the Cold War, Duke Ellington became one of America’s most powerful cultural ambassadors. Beginning in the 1960s, Ellington and his orchestra toured Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa as part of U.S. State Department goodwill missions.  Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for…

Louis Armstrong was a global ambassador for music and goodwill. During the Cold War, he toured the world under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, performing in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

Jazz played a quiet but powerful role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Artists like Hugh Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim used music to protest racial segregation, promote unity, and give voice to the oppressed. Visit southcarolinapublicradio.org/rapponjazz for full transcripts.

Jazz played a surprising yet powerful role in the desegregation of U.S. military bands. During World War II, African American musicians were often restricted to all-Black units despite their talent and experience. Yet their exceptional skill in jazz ensembles and big bands could not be ignored.  Vi…