Mark is the founder of ColaJazz.com, a non-profit jazz organization who supports jazz in the Midlands through events, education, recordings, and advocacy. The ColaJazz Foundation is the recipient of the 2021 Governor’s Award, our state’s highest award given to an individual or organization for the service in the arts. He released 8 diverse recordings and appears as a sideman on a myriad of projects including Disney’s “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” vol. 1 & 2 alongside Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman, and more. His celebrated 2009 debut release “Token Tales” earned him a spot as a “Top Emerging Trumpeter” in Downbeat Magazine, sold out the Blue Note (NYC), and debuted at the famed Newport Jazz Festival. Mark is a featured artist in Mellen Press’ “How Jazz Trumpeters Understand Their Music” among a prestigious list including Terence Blanchard, Lew Soloff, Freddie Hubbard, Tim Hagans, Dave Douglas, and more. Mark also composed and produced a jazz ballet “Woven: Life in Notes and Steps” (wovenballet.com). He has performed in jazz clubs and festivals around the world from Croatia, Brasil, Austria, Switzerland and USA including back-to-back appearances at the 2017 & 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Performer: Mark Rapp- Cola Jazz Foundation
Mark Rapp
Mark is the founder of ColaJazz.com, a non-profit jazz organization who supports jazz in the Midlands through events, education, recordings, and advocacy. The ColaJazz Foundation is the recipient of the 2021 Governor’s Award, our state’s highest award given to an individual or organization for the service in the arts. He released 8 diverse recordings and appears as a sideman on a myriad of projects including Disney’s “Everybody Wants to be a Cat” vol. 1 & 2 alongside Roy Hargrove, Dave Brubeck, Esperanza Spalding, The Bad Plus, Joshua Redman, and more. His celebrated 2009 debut release “Token Tales” earned him a spot as a “Top Emerging Trumpeter” in Downbeat Magazine, sold out the Blue Note (NYC), and debuted at the famed Newport Jazz Festival. Mark is a featured artist in Mellen Press’ “How Jazz Trumpeters Understand Their Music” among a prestigious list including Terence Blanchard, Lew Soloff, Freddie Hubbard, Tim Hagans, Dave Douglas, and more. Mark also composed and produced a jazz ballet “Woven: Life in Notes and Steps” (wovenballet.com). He has performed in jazz clubs and festivals around the world from Croatia, Brasil, Austria, Switzerland and USA including back-to-back appearances at the 2017 & 2018 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.