Columbia, SC (WLTX) — Over the weekend, musicians from all over the state got a chance to show off their jazz skills at the 2nd annual Cola Jazz Camp.
Mark Rapp, Cola Jazz Camp founder, says jazz music brings in the entire family.
”Jazz music is so important because it is completely welcoming it wants everyone to be involved everyone to have a voice and everyone to come together.” Rapp said.
Coming together through jazz music was very important to Cedrick Gibbs, a 27 year old student at the camp who says jazz music gave him a chance to express himself.
“When I was growing up, I was not the most sociable person so the improv in Jazz gave me a chance to express myself." Gibbs said.
The two and a half day camp also allowed musicians the opportunity to learn from famous jazz musicians, including Grammy nominated artist David Liebman, who hopes students took away a lot from the weekend.
“My final wrap to students is whether you end up playing or not the spirit and inspiration that you got from this weekend should carry a lot, you got a great lesson in humanity. " Liebman said.
Over 50 musicians took part in the camp.