Corner Cafe Show: February 2, 2019
Harold Rapp III was born in New Orleans as a second generation PK (Preacher’s Kid) and was raised in the church. His love for the sax came at age 10 and he started his career as a performer by 12. His influence comes from his early years living in Germany as a child of a military family. Later, he moved back to the US and spent several years on bases in Louisiana and California before finally settling on Colorado. Though he grew up listening to gospel and performed at the church, his father planted a seed by exposing him to various types jazz, including smooth jazz. His chief influence growing up was gospel performer, Angela Christie. While attending college at the Lamont School of Music at Denver University and Metro State, he began listening to urban saxophonist like Gerald Albright, who later became his mentor, and David Sanborn. The road wasn’t always easy for him as he ran into many bumps, edgy twists and turns on his road to becoming a recording artist and renowned performer. It was only by his faith in God and a very driven determination that he triumphed gracefully over adversity.
Harold has performed with artists such as Hazel Miller, Selina Albright (daughter of saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, Gerald Albright), The Hot Lunch Band, Jessie Campbell from the Voice, George Huff from American Idol, Andrew Woolfolk of Earth, Wind & Fire, Timothy Wright, Israel Houghton and Grammy Award winning Gospel artist Kirk Franklin.
There’s no shortage of organizations that he has performed for, like the Colorado Black Arts Movement. He is an active member of the Potter’s House of Denver, where he plays in the band. He’s also performed for professional sports organizations, such as the Denver Nuggets and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Recordings:
3rd DegreeSet ApartExpressions of ChristmasFunk It Up (produced by James Roberson and Gerald Albright)
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