Liner Notes

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September 17, 2016

Jazz and the Art of the Other (9.18.16)

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

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?

 


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.

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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. 

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February 27, 2020

Dexter Gordon

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

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February 25, 2020

Myra Melford

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

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February 18, 2020

Jack Sheldon

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

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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