jazz

Joe Sample (2.7.15)

Joe Sample was an American composer, pianist and keyboard player, and one of the founding members of The Jazz Crusaders. A native Texan, Sample who began his career in the style of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, and went on to collaborate with, not only Miles Davis, but also Steely Dan, and Eric Clapton.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what it means to find truth in spirit and soul rather than in genre, and how Sample’s legacy can teach us to allow for unfamiliar narratives to inform our sense of exploration within tradition.

George Gershwin and the Art of America

George Gershwin was a legendary American jazz musician in the 1920s and 30s. In his short life, he was able to establish a style that would continue to influence the way music is composed. In this episode, Rebecca McInroy and Rabbi Neil Blumofe discuss Gerwin’s legacy from his Russian roots, to his background of growing up in New York City in the early 19th century, and working with his brother Ira, while sharing some of his music throughout the examination of his life and career.

Benny Golson (1.25.15)

Benny Golson is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger who made his name with greats like John Coltrane, Art Blakey, and Lionel Hampton. Yet, perhaps his best known and recognized composition was for his friend, jazz trumpeter and legend Clifford Brown, who was taken at the age of 25 in a car accident. Golson wrote, “I Remember Clifford”, in the wake of his passing, and you can hear much of Brown’s rich and smooth texture throughout Golson’s piece.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about the life and work of Benny Golson. He explores what it means to memorialize loved ones who have passed before us, as their lives and souls remain vivid within us, even though their bodies are no longer here.

Tina Marsh (1.18.15)

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Austin-based composer and artist Tina Marsh.

Celebration (12.20.14)

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe discusses Jazz and The Art of Celebration.

December is a month of festivities, parties, and traditions, yet for many of us it is a time when the spotlight it pointed at how isolated we may feel without our loved ones, our homes, or our families around us. In these moments of solitude it is important to remember and celebrate what we do have. The precious lives we are given to live, however sad or difficult they seem in these moments.

The universal sound and momentum of jazz, gives us a soundtrack by which we can follow the rhythms of our heart and our soul. Allowing us to celebrate our lives anew with each note and honor the wonderment of this universe.

Clark Terry (12.14.14)

Clark Terry is an American born bebop trumpeter and pioneer of the flugelhorn. Born in the Midwest in 1920 he began his career under the guidance of legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, and went on to educate generations of musicians including Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis and even Austin’s own Ephraim Owens.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about how precious the life and work of Clark Terry is, as he plays the role, not only of a great musician, but as a hinge that links us to the past, present and future of jazz and America.

Dave Brubeck (12.7.14)

Dave Brubeck was an American jazz pianist and composer who helped to bring jazz to a mainstream audience, during very turbulent days in America’s history. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe discusses how listening to Brubeck’s music provides us with an opportunity to make change and fight injustices by finding our own voice.

Willie “The Lion” Smith (11.23.14)

Willie “The Lion” Smith defined what it meant to be a stride, jazz piano player in 20th century America. As an and African-American Jew, Smith approached the magnitude of WWI, and the early 1900s with a kaleidoscope of perspectives. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, explores what the life, music, and legacy of Smith can teach us today.

John Hendricks (11.16.14)

Jon Hendricks is an American jazz singer who is considered to be the poet laureate of jazz. He inspired, and continues to speak to, greats like Bobby McFerrin and even Thelonious Monk. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Bulmofe, explores the way in which, as a singer, Hendricks’ discipline and skill is a remarkable example of the importance of self-care. When we see our body and soul as the “instrument” through which we can make the music of our life, we hold it dear, as Hendrick’s continues to do.

Don Byron (11.9.14)

Don Byron is an American composer and multi-instrumentalist, rooted in jazz. However, his stylistic influences range from heavy metal to klezmer and more. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores what it means to go beyond the idea of “avant-garde” and remain inspired and open to all elements of musical expression in this post-post modern era.

Alice Coltrane (10.26.14)

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and music of the great Alice Coltrane.

Pharoah Sanders (10.12.14)

Pharoah Sanders is an American jazz saxophonist who came up along side John Coltrane to experiment with “sheets of sound”, and went on to become one of the most inventive composers and musicians in the Avant-garde movement. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, talks about what we can learn about presence and living in the moment, from the life and work of Pharoah Sanders.

Kenny Dorham (8.31.14)

Kenny Dorham was an American jazz trumpeter who worked with Art Blakey, Charlie Parker and Max Roach among others to help craft the bebop style in mid century America. In addition to his work as a sideman he also formed his own group, The Jazz Prophets featuring Bobby Timmons on piano, bassist Sam Jones, and tenorman J.R. Monterose, with guest Kenny Burrell on guitar.

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe considers to significance of Kenny Dorham the musician and prophet, and allows us to examine the power in the present moment through his work.

Tony Bennett (8.3.14)

Tony Bennett is an American singer and artist who began his career in the wake of WWII and became well known interpreting jazz standards and show tunes. As his career unfolds, and in partnership with his son Danny Bennett, he continues reinvent, not only himself, but also the history of his generation through his daring collaborations.

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Bennett’s life and work can teach us about continuing to challenge our notions of who we are, and in each moment recognize a new becoming.

Johnny Hodges (7.27.14)

Johnny Hodges was an American jazz alto saxophonist best known for his work with Duke Ellington’s big band and Billy Strayhorn. His sound was so smooth and melodic that Duke Ellington said, just his tone could bring a tear to your eye.

In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what it means to add your voice to an ensemble, and to know that no matter how big of an impression you make it is but a blink of an eye in the cosmic landscape.

What does it mean to be everything and nothing at all? How do we negotiate our place in this universe, holding at the same time the grandeur and insignificance of each moment? Listening to Johnny Hodges we can understand how important it is to give all we have to making of each piece, and know that it is not the same without us and that we are nothing without it.

Johnny Hartman (7.6.14)

Johnny Hartman was an American jazz singer who is perhaps most well known for his collaborations with John Coltrane, yet he also recorded many solo albums in his relatively short career. His voice was smooth and melodic to spite the fact that he smoked heavily all his life. In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what listening to and understanding the life and legacy of Johnny Hartman can teach us today.

Eric Dolphy (6.29.14)

Eric Dolphy was an American born jazz saxophonist, composer and bass clarinetist who worked with many jazz greats including Charles Mingus to shape a new direction forward for jazz in the 1960s. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Dolphy’s approach to his music and his life can teach us about courage and determination.

George Gershwin (6.22.14)

George Gershwin was an American musician, composer and visionary whose work at the beginning of the 20th century helped to shaped a collective understanding of the American experience. In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores the life and legacy George Gershwin.

Jaki Byard (6.15.14)

Jaki Byard was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist and composer who collaborated with many artists, significantly Charles Mingus. He incorporated a range of styles in his approach, from ragtime to bebop, and swing to stride. He spanned years of musical tradition, bringing history into one moment–an eternal now. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe explores what the music and legacy of Jaki Byard can teach us today.

Yusef Lateef (6.8.14)

Yusef Lateef was an American jazz mufti-instrumentalist, composer and educator who extended the possibilities of what it meant to understand and expand in the jazz genera with a universal sensibility. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe illustrates what the music and legacy of Lateef and his music can teach us about moving past our own ideas of fulfillment, beyond any limitations, to understand the possibilities and richness in the present moment.