South Carolina Jazz Festival

02/26/2026

Save the dates for the 21st SC Jazz Festival in Cheraw, SC..
Celebrating the legacy of Dizzy Gillespie

10/30/2025

Clip of our very own jazz ambassador, Mark Rapp, sitting in with the incomparable Emmet Cohen!

10/19/2025

Thank you from ALL OF US! Congratulations to Lindsey Bennett and the entire jazz festival family.

09/25/2025

Rod will be participating in the 20th SC Jazz Festival in Cheraw on Friday night October 17 at Dizzy's located in Springhill Suites for the jazz crawl

*Musician Spotlight*
This week we feature Florence based saxophonist Roderick Brown! Roderick is a multi-instrumentalist woodwind player that can be heard all throughout the state playing in places such as Columbia, Florence and Charleston. Rod is a versatile musician and a great guy. We asked him some questions.....

-When did you start playing?
-I started guitar at age 5, then saxophone at age 11.

-What was some of the first music you loved?
-The Pointer Sisters, Eric B. and Rakim, Fat Boys, Run DMC. Then I discovered Charlie Parkers music.

-If you could pick a different instrument to play what would it be and why?
-The trumpet. I always loved the personality it has as a jazz instrument.

-What are you listening to these days?
-A Bob McChesney album called "Chez Sez" as well as various jazz vocalists from different eras.

-What's one of the coolest places you've played?
-A jam session with Emmet Cohen's trio featuring saxophonist Tivon Pennicott at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC.

-Who is a musician you think other people should know about?
-Wes Montgomery.

-What's keeping you busy these days (musically and non)?
-Leading a jazz combo, learning pop music for weddings, teaching at Coker University as an adjunct and playing with the Florence Symphony. I am also enjoying life with my wife Juanita and our dog. We bought a new house and have been settling in nicely.

09/24/2025

Just around the corner... 20th SC Jazz Festival in Cheraw, SC.... Celebrating the Legacy of Dizzy Gillespie... October 16-19....
Seeking participants for Jazzy Trees & Sidewalk Chalk Competition
Call the Cheraw Arts Commission 843.537.8420 x 12 for more info....

09/24/2025

Golf anyone? Sign up for the annual Dizzy Gillespie Scholarship Golf Tournament during the SC Jazz Festival (Saturday, October 18- Cheraw State Park) ... Call Clarence Long 478.737.3031 or Cheraw Arts Commission 843.537.8420 x12 for more info/application

09/08/2025

Our lineup is shaping up making 2025 one of the most exceptional South Carolina Jazz Festivals yet! WOW!

TICKETS:
https://www.scjazzfestival.com/shop/

MORE INFO:
https://www.scjazzfestival.com/

10/20/2024

The final concert of the 2024 SC Jazz Festival will be presented in the historic Old St David's Episcopal Church in Cheraw, SC. Old St. David's Church was the last Anglican parish established in South Carolina under British rule. The church was established in 1768 and the building completed in 1774.

"Bebop's Ballads & Blues" features the Mark Rapp group for the 2:00pm concert. This is a free event for all ages. Call the Cheraw Arts Commission for info 843.537.8420 x 12

"Carolina Blue" - Old St. David's Photo courtesy of Cheraw Arts Commission Board Member Ron Stafford

10/20/2024

10/19/2024

Join us for an afternoon jazz concert on Saturday, October 19 at the Gillespie family church, Wesley United Methodist during the SC Jazz Festival in Cheraw. The free concert will be presented from 3:00-4:00pm-307 Greene St- All ages are welcome.

Featured musician is Cheraw native Robert Gardiner with his Jazz Quartet. Dr. Robert A. Gardiner is the founder of the South Carolina Jazz Foundation and Artistic Director of the South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble. He is a Professor of Music at Lander University in Greenwood, SC.

Visit www.scjazzfestival.com for complete festival schedule or call the Cheraw Arts Commission 843.537.8420 x 12