KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts
KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond
Ornette Coleman was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer, and was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s, a term he invented with the name of his 1961 album.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses the improvisatory style of Ornette Coleman to teach how surrendering to chaos can bring a profound sense of presence, satisfaction, and freedom in life.
Allen Toussaint was an American musician, songwriter and record producer who’s legacy largely defined our imagined connection to the story of New Orleans.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe talks about what the music of Toussaint can teach us today about the value of human connection and the power of music to bring us together.
Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz vocalist, composer and songwriter who remains one of the most prominent American voices on the jazz scene.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what we can learn from Wilson’s life and work.
Roy Hargrove is an American jazz trumpeter who made a name for himself in the early 90s with his first solo record Diamond in The Rough and went on to record with jazz greats like Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine and others.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of Hargrove can teach us about appreciating and learning from the past, to adapt to a quickly changing present, for a brighter future.
Sigmund Freud wrote: “every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. One’s ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.” How are we complicit in dehumanizing others, and how are we in turn, dehumanized? How do we cope with the unsettling of our fears and the scars of our traumas — in our amusements, and in the casual conversations that we have?
How does music help us navigate both our civilizing presence and our raw emotions that run much deeper, beneath? How do the experiences of 20th century jazz musicians help to instruct us in the powerful lessons of difference, Othering, and perseverance?
This episode of Liner Notes was recorded live at our Views & Brews event. It’s a marriage of robust conversation and spectacular music, featuring David Young, trumpet; Andre Hayward, trombone; Michael Malone, saxophone; Sean Giddings, piano; Richard Michael, bass; Scott Laningham, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe, in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.
Sigmund Freud wrote: “every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. One’s ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.” How are we complicit in dehumanizing others, and how are we in turn, dehumanized? How do we cope with the unsettling of our fears and the scars of our traumas — in our amusements, and in the casual conversations that we have?
How does music help us navigate both our civilizing presence and our raw emotions that run much deeper, beneath? How do the experiences of 20th century jazz musicians help to instruct us in the powerful lessons of difference, Othering, and perseverance?
This episode of Liner Notes was recorded live at our Views & Brews event. It’s a marriage of robust conversation and spectacular music, featuring David Young, trumpet; Andre Hayward, trombone; Michael Malone, saxophone; Sean Giddings, piano; Richard Michael, bass; Scott Laningham, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe, in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.
Samuel Carthorne Rivers was an America jazz musician and composer who’s approach to jazz in the 50s and 60s added to the depth of voices coming out of the free jazz movement. Specifically River’s was known for his “inside-outside” style that moved away from and then toward predicted patterns and melody’s.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and legacy of Rivers can teach us about the value of tradition, the importance of breaking away, and the significance of finding our way back.
Sigmund Freud wrote: “every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. One’s ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.” How are we complicit in dehumanizing others, and how are we in turn, dehumanized? How do we cope with the unsettling of our fears and the scars of our traumas — in our amusements, and in the casual conversations that we have?
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe helps us take a deeper look at how we interact with the world and ourselves.
How does music help us navigate both our civilizing presence and our raw emotions that run much deeper, beneath? How do the experiences of 20th century jazz musicians help to instruct us in the powerful lessons of difference, Othering, and perseverance?
Branford Marsalis is an American jazz instrumentalist and composer whose work expands spaces and understandings of the role of jazz in almost every musical genre.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of Branford Marsalis can teach us today.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was an American jazz tenor saxophone player who was known for his ability to play multiple instruments at once. He was an outspoken activist and was known also for his sense of humor on stage.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the lessons we can learn from Roland Kirk’s approach to music and to life.
Hank Jones was a American jazz piano player who’s long career spanned over half a century. He played with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe and gained a reputation as an adaptive and supportive musician.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Hank Jones.
Jon Faddis is an American jazz trumpeter who is known, in part, for his collaborations with Charles Mingus, early in his career, and later with Dizzy Gillespie. Faddis, not only continues to re-imagine their works, but also to educate musicians on the importance of using jazz as a tool to communicate in our time.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of Jon Faddis can teach us about working within tradition to evolve, to discover, and to develop as we move through the world each day.
Geri Allen is an American jazz pianist, composer and educator who continues to bridge the divides of time and space between the jazz of mid century America and today.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of the life and work of Geri Allen.
In addition to his prowess as a musician, Mikes Davis was a master teacher. Inspiring generations of instrumentalists, he is perhaps best known for encouraging a young group that became known as his Second Quintet.
Along with Miles – Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams together contributed to the great furthering of ensemble playing, inspiring and challenging each other towards great expression.
In the second half of the 1960’s, this Second Quintet responded to free jazz and offered an articulation to turbulent times that still resounds in our day.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Sun Ra.
Collaborations are special gifts in life connect us, not only to the present moment with another, but also to a shared sense of the past. In the latest installment of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the partnership between Herby Hancock and Wayne Shorter, and what their work together can teach us today.
Chick Corea is an American jazz composer and pianist, known for his ability to smoothly glide between jazz standards, avant-garde jazz and fusion. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and work of Chick Corea, and what his approach to music can teach us today.
Terell Stafford is an American jazz trumpeter and current Director of Jazz Studies at the at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Stafford’s music and perspective brings to discussions about jazz and American identity today.
Ben Webster was an American jazz saxophonist who helped to shape the musical landscape of the 20th century. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Ben Webster.
Terrance Blanchard is an American jazz trumpet player, composer, and bandleader whose music has helped to shape the sound of distress and anguish, but ultimately hope in the 21st century. His sound continues to evolve as he creates more moving and poignant pieces and soundtracks that speak to the discontent in America due to racial and economic inequality.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about how Blanchard can teach us to listen, not only to the music he creates, but to the feelings, sentiments and frustrations of the times in which we live.