Liner Notes

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June 19, 2016

Miles Davis’ Second Quintet (6.18.16)

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

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.


Episodes

November 5, 2019

Terry Gibbs

Terry Gibbs is an American vibraphonist and bandleader who remains the oldest bebopper at the age of 95. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Gibbs’s long career can teach us about inclusion and unity in the face of isolation and fear.

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November 5, 2019

Azar Lawrence

Azar Lawrence is an American jazz saxophonist who was hired by McCoy Tyner following the death of John Coltrane. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Lawrence can teach us about continuing a legacy, finding our voice, and knowing our value while holding on to our mortality.

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November 5, 2019

Les McCann

Les McCann is an American jazz pianist and vocalist. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about McCann’s influential life and work, and how it can inform us today.

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August 26, 2019

Jazz and The Art of Movement

Where do we consider being at home? When do we feel that we belong in a place and how quickly can we become dispossessed? In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about how jazz traces various migrations – some arbitrary, some forced, and some chosen – and beyond appropriation […]

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August 12, 2019

Pat Metheny

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and work of jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny.

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August 5, 2019

Art Neville

Art Neville was an American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist whose music and presence over five decades defined the New Orleans music scene. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Art Neville.

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June 17, 2019

Mental Health

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about jazz and the art of mental health.

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May 31, 2019

Conspiracy

Rethink conspiracy through the appreciation of art, hard work, and beautiful music with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe.

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