KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts

KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond

search

    

        

            

                hide podcast list
                show podcast list

June 15, 2015

Wes Montgomery (6.14.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Wes Montgomery was born “John Leslie Montgomery” in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1923. From humble beginnings in the Midwest, he went on to become one of the all time leading jazz guitar players, taking after luminaries like Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about how the unassuming nature of Montgomery allows us to see that revolution and innovation are all around us each day. In the ordinariness of his playing, Montgomery was dangerous. Threatening to the status quo of, not only the everyday, but the avant-garde as well.

May 15, 2015

Jackie McLean (5.17.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Jackie McLean was and American jazz alto saxophone player, who came up in New York City with greats like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Charles Mingus. He went on to, not only record with a  wide range of musicians, but he also worked to educate generations of players though presence.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the important lessons McLean’s life and legacy can teach us about our place in the world today, what we give, and how we navigate the sanctity of each moment.

May 8, 2015

Rudresh Mahanthappa (5.10.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Rudresh Mahanthappa is an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Much of his music fuses the western improvisational approach to jazz, with sacred music from India, to expand the understanding of what it means to be in a present moment intercontinentally.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what Mahanthappa’s work and style, can teach us about how we understand the process of becoming, as we live in this world.

April 18, 2015

Strange Fruit (4.19.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

“Strange Fruit” is a song, made famous by Billie Holiday, who would often sing it to close her shows when she would perform, discouraging applause from the audience when she sang it. Holiday had a difficult time recording the song, but upon the urging of her friends at Commodore Records, she recorded it for the first time on April 20th, 1939. She was harassed by the FBI and other authorities for singing it, but refused to stop.

Originally written as a poem in 1937 by Abel Meeropol, to protest against American racism and the lynching of African Americans in the south just after the turn of the century, it remains a stark reminder of America’s scars of slavery, bigotry, discrimination, and hatred.

Holiday’s legacy is directly connected to “Strange Fruit”, and Nina Simone said of the song, that it was about the ugliest song she had ever heard, and would later marvel. “Ugly in the sense that it is violent and tears at the guts of what white people have done to my people in this country.”

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what the lamentation of “Strange Fruit” can teach us today, about injustice, humanity,  protest, and peace.

 

 

April 10, 2015

Herbie Hancock (4.12.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Herbie Hancock is an American pianist, and composer who’s musical collaborations span the breadth of everyone from Clark Terry and Miles Davis, to Joni Mitchell and Kanye West. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what the life and work of Herbie Hancock can teach us about dedication, inspiration and the power of change.

March 27, 2015

Dexter Gordon (3.29.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Dexter Gordon was an American jazz saxophone player, who helped to cement the bebop style post Charlie Parker and others.  He spent most of his career playing, composing and recording in Europe, as it was a more, “harmonious” place to live and create.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what the life and legacy of Dexter Gordan can teach us about exploration, diversity, and acceptance.

March 12, 2015

Charles Lloyd (3.15.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Charles Lloyd is an American musician who’s primary instrument is the tenor saxophone. He’s recorded with greats like Miles Davis, The Doors, The Beach Boys and most recently Jason Moran. He brings diversity and passion to each performance, and adds his own voice to divergent genres.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the versatility and presence of Lloyd’s work can teach us about how to approach the newness of each day.

February 27, 2015

Lee Konitz (1.1.15)

Liner Notes

By: Rabbi Neil Blumofe

Lee Konitz is an American jazz composer and alto saxophonist, who continues to build space for evolving styles and techniques in his work on the alto-sax. Inspired by Benny Goodman, Konitz carved out a sound that was, at times, contrary to prevailing ideas of what was “cool” in jazz in the shadow of Charlie Parker.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the importance of Konitz’s life and work, and what his dedication to his craft can teach us about re-inventing our days and selves as we live.

 

×