Pharoah Sanders is an American jazz saxophonist who came up along side John Coltrane to experiment with “sheets of sound”, and went on to become one of the most inventive composers and musicians in the Avant-garde movement. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what we can learn about presence and living in the moment, from the life and work of Pharoah Sanders.
Chico Hamilton (9.21.14)
Chico Hamilton was a jazz drummer and band leader who began his career in California, playing with Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordan and others. He helped to develop an avant-garde sound in jazz in the late 50s and 60s that was, at the same time, accessible and elusive. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the music and legacy of Chico Hamilton can teach us today.
Kenny Dorham (8.31.14)
Kenny Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter who worked with Art Blakey, Charlie Parker and Max Roach among others to help craft the bebop style in mid century America. In addition to his work as a sideman he also formed his own group, The Jazz Prophets featuring Bobby Timmons on piano, bassist Sam Jones, and tenorman J.R. Monterose, with guest Kenny Burrell on guitar.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe considers to significance of Kenny Dorham the musician and prophet, and allows us to examine the power in the present moment through his work.
Tony Bennett (8.3.14)
Tony Bennett is an American singer and artist who began his career in the wake of WWII and became well known interpreting jazz standards and show tunes. As his career unfolds, and in partnership with his son Danny Bennett, he continues reinvent, not only himself, but also the history of his generation through his daring collaborations.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Bennett’s life and work can teach us about continuing to challenge our notions of who we are, and in each moment recognize a new becoming.
Johnny Hodges (7.27.14)
Johnny Hodges was an American jazz alto saxophonist best known for his work with Duke Ellington’s big band and Billy Strayhorn. His sound was so smooth and melodic that Duke Ellington said, just his tone could bring a tear to your eye.
In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what it means to add your voice to an ensemble, and to know that no matter how big of an impression you make it is but a blink of an eye in the cosmic landscape.
What does it mean to be everything and nothing at all? How do we negotiate our place in this universe, holding at the same time the grandeur and insignificance of each moment? Listening to Johnny Hodges we can understand how important it is to give all we have to making of each piece, and know that it is not the same without us and that we are nothing without it.
Lee Morgan (7.20.14)
Lee Morgan was an American jazz trumpeter who continued in the wake of Clifford Brown to develop the hard-bop style. He was a prolific recording artist as well, and in his short 33 years of life, recorded over 20 albums. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what it means to live fast and yet in each moment give of oneself all we have.
Johnny Hartman (7.6.14)
Johnny Hartman was an American jazz singer who is perhaps most well known for his collaborations with John Coltrane, yet he also recorded many solo albums in his relatively short career. His voice was smooth and melodic to spite the fact that he smoked heavily all his life. In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what listening to and understanding the life and legacy of Johnny Hartman can teach us today.
Eric Dolphy (6.29.14)
Eric Dolphy was an American born jazz saxophonist, composer and bass clarinetist who worked with many jazz greats including Charles Mingus to shape a new direction forward for jazz in the 1960s. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Dolphy’s approach to his music and his life can teach us about courage and determination.
George Gershwin (6.22.14)
George Gershwin was an American musician, composer and visionary whose work at the beginning of the 20th century helped to shaped a collective understanding of the American experience. In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores the life and legacy George Gershwin.
Jaki Byard (6.15.14)
Jaki Byard was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer who collaborated with many artists, significantly Charles Mingus. He incorporated a range of styles in his approach, from ragtime to bebop, and swing to stride. He spanned years of musical tradition, bringing history into one moment–an eternal now. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe explores what the music and legacy of Jaki Byard can teach us today.
Yusef Lateef (6.8.14)
Yusef Lateef was an American jazz mufti-instrumentalist, composer and educator who extended the possibilities of what it meant to understand and expand in the jazz genera with a universal sensibility. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe illustrates what the music and legacy of Lateef and his music can teach us about moving past our own ideas of fulfillment, beyond any limitations, to understand the possibilities and richness in the present moment.
Alfred Lion and Blue Note Records (6.1.14)
Alfred Lion was a German-Jewish born record executive who made his way to the U.S. via South America in the 1930s. He founded Blue Note Records soon after arriving in America and went on to record many legendary jazz artists; helping to shape the sound, image and meaning of jazz in America. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores the significance of Lion’s vision and Blue Note Records.
Miles Davis (5.25.14)
Miles Davis is considered one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century. He added his voice to the narratives of our culture at significant points, and offered a perspective which considered the sanctity of silence in each moment. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe acknowledges what Miles Davis can teach us through this approach, not only in music but in our daily lives.
Archie Shepp (5.18.14)
Archie Shepp is a jazz saxophonist whose compositions and rhythms added a political and powerful voice to conversations about race, inequality, power and justice in America, especially in the 1970s. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the what it means to be a unique voice in a dialogue of timelessness–rooted in tradition and continuing to unfold.
Mary Lou Williams (5.11.14)
Mary Lou Williams was a a giant in the jazz world in the beginning of the 20th century. As an arranger, composer and pianist she worked with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman and went on to mentor jazz legends like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi, jazz historian and musician Neil Blumofe explores how the idea of a “Mother” can be extended beyond our biological lines to include those who love and nurture us, and help to bring us up in this world so we can in turn help and love others.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Professor Longhair (5.4.14)
Professor Longhair, born Henry Roeland Byrd in Louisianan in 1918 was a piano player who shaped the sound of New Orleans’ jazz in the early 20th Century. Much of how we imagine New Orleans, and especially Marti Gras, is flavored and textured by the rhythm created by Professor Longhair. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe explores what it means explore the New Orleans of today through the ghosts of it’s past.
Lionel Hampton (4.20.14)
Lionel Hampton was was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. In 1936 he was discovered by Benny Goodman and with Goodman’s band he created a space for the vibraphone in popular swing music. He was also a outspoken advocate for Israel in the 50s as well as a civil rights leader.
In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores how Hampton’s hard work and dedication to not only his music, but to an ethos of revolution and freedom, allows us to recognize the importance of the private day-to-day work that goes into building a life of worth and meaning.
Charlie Rouse (4.13.14)
Charlie Rouse was an American hard bop tenor saxophonist and much sought-after sideman. He is known primarily for his collaboration with Thelonious Monk. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of the role of the “sidemen” and “associates” in our lives, and why it is important to appreciate all the parts that make up a greater whole.
Bill Frisell (3.23.14)
Bill Frisell is not only an innovator on jazz guitar, but has worked in many genres to develop a sound-rich landscape. He fuses many cultures and sensibilities together, which can help us navigate our way through the modern American experience, both tangibly and metaphysically. Rabbi Neil Blumofe describes his sound as post-post-modern.
Jazz and The Art of Patronage (3.30.14)
What does it mean to be a patron of the arts? Perhaps you have the means to support art innovation in your community, or maybe you are a producer of music or art and you work behind the scenes. Maybe your way of supporting art is just showing up. All of these are means of developing an artistic community and building a creative environment for future generations.