jazz

Jazz and The Art of Mental Health (Part 1)

Listen back as we discuss the making of jazz, around a frank conversation about mental illness, addiction, and the advantages of thinking beyond our present circumstances. Through the artistry of Buddy Bolden, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, and others, we explore the intersection of mental balance, suffering, wellness, and virtuosity.

How does our outlook on life either enhance or hamper our ways of being? How does creativity help us cope with our struggles? How can the power of music help us keep our torment at bay?

Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe in conversation with Rebecca McInroy. Featuring: Michael Malone, saxophone; Adrian Ruiz, trumpet; Andre Hayward, trombone; Red Young, piano; John Fremgen, bass; Brannen Temple, drums.

Mental Health

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

Conspiracy

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

Summertime

There is something unique about the vibe and feel of summer. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about how jazz can help us open up and connect as we move through this season.

Jimmy Smith & Shirley Scott – Jazz and The Art of Soul

Jimmy Smith and Shirley Scott were both musical innovators, popularizing the use of the B-3 organ in jazz. The sound of the organ invites a prayerful sensibility into the performance, merging entertainment and worship in a masterful combination. Where do we exist in the relationship between the sacred and the profane? Does everything have to be so proscribed? What healing happens beyond Either/Or? How can we locate our soul as a force for good out in the world?

Listen back to a Views and Brews recorded live at the historic Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas as we present a spirited evening of music and conversation. Sponsored by KUT radio, Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe in conversation with Rebecca McInroy. Featuring Red Young, organ; Bruce Saunders, guitar; Michael Malone, saxophone; David Young, trumpet; Brannen Temple, drums.

George Benson

Guitarist George Benson recorded his first album at the age of 21 and continues to be a tremendous influence in the guitar world. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe discusses the ongoing life and career of George Benson.

Mal Waldron

Arranger, composer and pianist Malcolm “Mal” Waldron played in a number of big bands and fronted his own before a drug overdose left him unable to play or remember music. As he regained his technique through listening to his own records, Waldron began a second leg of his career with a decidedly different sound than the first. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe recalls Mal Waldron, his struggle with addiction, and how he interpolated his former style.

Dizzy Gillespie & Stan Getz – Jazz and The Art of Rhythm

Saxophonist Stan Getz and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie are both legends in their own right, but what connects the two may be deeper than you think.

In this edition of Views & Brews, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy joins Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe for a conversation on Diz & Getz, and a live jazz quintet performs select tunes.

“Hot Lips” Page

Rhythm and blue architect and Birdland opening night band member Oran Thaddeus “Hot Lips” Page was never well known, but undeniably an influential journeyman. On the most recent edition of KUTX’s Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe guides us through the career of trumpeter and vocalist “Hot Lips” Page.

Bobby Hutcherson

This past week commemorated the 77th anniversary of Bobby Hutcherson‘s birthday, the “world’s best vibist” who passed away in 2016.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz Historian Neil Blumofe guides us through the life, contributions and influence of Bobby Hutcherson.

Music: “Little Angel”, “Montara”, “Catta” – Bobby Hutcherson

“Groovin Blue” – Curtis Amy, “Blue Rondo” – Jackie Maclean, “Naima” – San Francisco Jazz Collective

Wynton Kelly

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 Freeloader” – Miles Davis [1959]
“Cornbread” – Hal Singer [1948]
“Come Rain or Come Shine”, “Surrey With the Fringe On Top”, “Quiet Village” – Wynton Kelly

Melba Liston

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 Syrian Bamboo” [1959]
Melba Liston – “You Don’t Say” [1959]

The History Of Blue Note

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”.

The New Year & Responsibility

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”

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 historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of recognizing jazz and a music that belongs to everyone, and that can inform us about not only what it means to be American but what it means to be human as well.

Jazz and The Art of Place Part II

How did jazz develop in America? What is signified by region, and how does the local dialect of music both inform and stereotype meaning? We will trace the tribalization of America as we explore West and East coast jazz — and discover musical roots from New Orleans to Kansas City, Chicago, and beyond. We will feature the music of Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Charles Mingus, and others.

In this plurality of styles, we will discover common community, and see how jazz can help us draw closer together — especially in trying times.

Listen back to Views and Brews recorded live at the historic Cactus Cafe in Austin, Texas as we present an evening of music and conversation. Sponsored by KUT radio, Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe in conversation with Rebecca McInroy. Featuring: David Young, trumpet, Michael Malone, saxophone, Andre Hayward, trombone; Red Young, piano; Roscoe Beck, bass; and Scott Laningham, drums.

Jazz and The Art of Place Part I

In this plurality of styles, we will discover common community, and see how jazz can help us draw closer together — especially in trying times.

Jazz and The Art of Austin

What do we mean when we say, “Keep Austin Weird?” Is Austin really the Live Music Capital of the World? What does the mythology of Austin sound like? How can the story of jazz teach us to appreciate the various layers of meaning and significance of where we live, every day? In knowing our cultural legacy, we can continue to build a city in the Lone Star State that is dynamic, compelling, and continues to nurture creativity and imagination.

Listen back with Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe in conversation with Rebecca McInroy.

Featuring: Michael Malone, saxophone; David Young, trumpet; Sean Giddings, piano; Roscoe Beck, bass; Scott Laningham, drums.

Henry Butler (7.8.18)

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.

Summertime (6.23.18)

“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.