Wayne County Jazz Showcase

North Carolina has made a lasting imprint on American jazz, producing some of the genre’s most influential voices. High Point native John Coltrane, a towering figure in modern jazz, revolutionized the saxophone with his bold, spiritual sound. Roberta Flack, born in Black Mountain, blended jazz, soul, and folk into her timeless recordings, earning multiple Grammys and worldwide acclaim. The state’s jazz roots run deep, from the swing-era brilliance of drummer Max Roach, born in Newland, to the pioneering bebop trumpet of Woody Shaw, whose parents hailed from Laurinburg. In cities like Durham and Raleigh, historic clubs once pulsed with live jazz, laying the groundwork for the vibrant music scenes we know today. North Carolina’s jazz heritage continues to inspire artists and audiences across generations—proof that the rhythm of innovation still beats strong in the Tar Heel State.