Liner Notes

Liner Notes > All Episodes

July 17, 2013

Benny Goodman (Sunday 3.24.13)

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

In the 1930’s, the clarinetist and bandleader, Benny Goodman, brought jazz stylings to mainstream America. With this short feature jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe muses on how Goodman offered a space for freedom and expression which combated early 20th century ideologies based on fear and tyranny. In an age of segregation, creeping fear, and xenophobia, Goodman boldly set forth a new agenda for American music, integrating his band and exasperating the assumptions of culture, sophistication, and assumed ways of life. His legacy reminds us to reconsider regimented ideas of identity and forge our own paths against repression.


Episodes

April 11, 2020

Ellis Marsalis

On this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe remembers the legendary patriarch of New Orleans Jazz, Ellis Marsalis.

Listen

March 5, 2020

Ralph Towner

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe teaches us about multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer and arranger Ralph Towner. Born in Washington, Towner incorporated improvisation into much of his work. 

Listen

February 27, 2020

Dexter Gordon

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon.

Listen

February 25, 2020

Myra Melford

Rabbi Neil Blumofe explores the life and work of pianist, improviser and composer Myra Melford.

Listen

February 18, 2020

Jack Sheldon

Rabbi Neil Blumofe talks about the life of Jack Sheldon following his passing on Dec 27, 2019.

Listen

February 13, 2020

Rich Harney

How does the sudden loss of a central figure change the local music community? How does the community deal with that loss? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of Austin jazz pianist Rich Harney who passed away on Jan. 5, 2020. […]

Listen

December 29, 2019

Joe Lovano

What does it mean to create a legacy? How do we hold at once the future and the present as we move through the world? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of jazz great Joe Lovano, who continues to collaborate and […]

Listen

December 15, 2019

Eddie Palmieri

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and music of Palmieri can teach us about identity, the power of movement, and the necessity of community. Eddie Palmieri is an American pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is the founder of the […]

Listen