Liner Notes
Rabbi Neil Blumofe
January 22, 2019
Wynton Kelly was a piano prodigy who accompanied legendary performers across hundreds of songs but failed to make it big as a bandleader. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz Historian Neil Blumofe walks us through Kelly’s upbringing, aspirations, and why he was often viewed simply as a “first rate sideman”. Music: “Freddie […]
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January 22, 2019
Melba Liston was a master arranger and a trombonist with an incredible but often overlooked talent. On this episode of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe discusses life and legacy. Music: Melba Liston – “Insomnia” [1959] Dizzy Gillespie – “Annie’s Dance” [1957] Randy Weston – “Caban Bamboo Highlife” [1963] Melba Liston – “Very […]
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January 7, 2019
Celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2019, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe walks us through the origins of Blue Note Records and how genres like bebop helped to understand the turbulence of the times. Music: Horace Silver – “Silver’s Serenade”Sidney Bechet – “Early In The Morning”Thelonious Monk – “Thelonious”.
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January 3, 2019
Reflecting on 2018 and welcoming 2019, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe connects jazz and reinvention, then recites “New Year’s Recipe” by Carlos Drummond de Andrade. Music: Art Tatum – “Prisoner of Love”
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July 14, 2018
Leonard Bernstein and What Is Jazz?
“Jazz is the ultimate common denominator of the American musical style.” –Leonard Bernstein In the 1950s Leonard Bernstein made a series of educational recordings on jazz with the goal of bringing jazz to a generation of listeners who were entering the world of rock n’ roll. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz […]
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July 6, 2018
Henry Butler was a jazz pianist and singer who embodied the New Orleans musical tradition in his style. Butler passed July 2, 2018, and in this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe pays tribute to this musical master.
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June 24, 2018
“Summertime” is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what unique lessons we can learn listening to “Summertime” today.
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February 27, 2018
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of jazz in the “Live Music Capital of The World.”
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About
Rabbi Neil Blumofe
Growing up in the Chicago area and having spent his formative years in New Orleans, New York, Jerusalem, and Poznan, Poland-Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe cultivated a love of jazz, America, and the human experience.
He is privileged to lead the Agudas Achim community in Austin, Texas, and as an educator, spiritual guide and jazz historian he frequently extends his attention and presence to the greater Austin community. He believes that our best days are before us, as we continue to learn and share experiences with each other.
For KUT and KUTX Rabbi Blumofe hosts the weekly radio segment and podcast Liner Notes, and co-hosts the Views and Brews Jazz Series with Rebecca McInroy.
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