Miles Davis

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 and broad-stroke caricature, reveals difficult truths of identity, well-being, and honest relationship.

V&B – Jazz & The Art of Responding

Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe joins a live jazz sextet and KUT’s Rebecca McInroy for a night of great conversation and live music. Through the music of Miles Davis, Abbey Lincoln, Charles Mingus, and others we’ll explore what the tradition of call and response in jazz can teach us about presence, resistance, and the human condition. Featuring Brannen Temple (drums), Nick Clark (Bass), Chris McQueen (guitar), Michael Malone (saxophone), Andre Hayward (trombone) and David Young (trumpet).

The Documentary (EP. 8)

Stuart Hall: In Conversations revisits the life and work of the Jamaican-born cultural theorist, Stuart Hall, a key figure in the foundation of the field of Cultural Studies. Through interviews, music, and audio archives, this program examines the political and historical context that shaped Stuart Hall’s ideas.

From the 1950s until his death in 2014, Hall was a world renowned black public intellectual, known for his role in establishing the New Left in Britain, his groundbreaking analyses of Thatcherism, and his dialogical understanding of culture and representation.

Hall saw politics in a range of human formations, from the mundane and everyday to the global expansion of free market capitalism.He argued that culture should be understood both as a site for the reproduction of dominant ideologies as well as a location for resisting power and claiming new identities.

Stuart Hall’s visionary understandings of neoliberalism and what he called “authoritarian populism” are worth revisiting today in an era of racially charged nationalism, evidenced in the 2016 Brexit vote in the United Kingdom, Marine Le Pen’s rise in popularity in France, and the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.

V&B – Jazz & The Art of Popularity

It’s after the election. How do we decide who represents us? Who is in, and who is out? Must something be sacrificed to be popular? As we examine the concepts of popularity, fandom, polling, and analytics, we will speak about the creation of culture and the allure of personality in our lives, through the lens of the Downbeat Magazine jazz polls throughout the years. Why is Miles Davis so good? Which Miles Davis do we mean? As we cull our playlists, how much patience do we really have to become connoisseurs, or to discover something new? In this episode of Views & Brews, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy joins Rabbi and Jazz Historian Neil Blumofe in an examination on jazz and the art of popularity.

Sam Rivers (9.25.16)

Samuel Carthorne Rivers was an America jazz musician and composer who’s approach to jazz in the 50s and 60s added to the depth of voices coming out of the free jazz movement. Specifically River’s was known for his “inside-outside” style that moved away from and then toward predicted patterns and melody’s.

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and legacy of Rivers can teach us about the value of tradition, the importance of breaking away, and the significance of finding our way back.

V&B – Miles Davis & The Art of Future (Part Two)

In this edition of Views & Brews, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy joins Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, and a live jazz quintet, for a night of great conversation and live music focusing on Miles Davis’ Second Quintet. In all Miles Davis represents, he was also a master teacher and inspired generations of instrumentalists. In the second half of the 60’s how did Davis’ Second Quintet respond to free jazz, and turbulent times? And what does this response teach us today?

Featuring the all-star ensemble: David Young, trumpet; Shelley Carrol, saxophone; Ben Irom, piano; Roscoe Beck, bass; Brannen Temple, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.

V&B – Miles Davis & The Art of Future (Part One)

In this edition of Views & Brews, KUT’s Rebecca McInroy joins Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, and a live jazz quintet, for a night of great conversation and live music focusing on Miles Davis’ Second Quintet. In all Miles Davis represents, he was also a master teacher and inspired generations of instrumentalists. In the second half of the 60’s how did Davis’ Second Quintet respond to free jazz, and turbulent times? And what does this response teach us today?

Featuring the all-star ensemble: David Young, trumpet; Shelley Carrol, saxophone; Ben Irom, piano; Roscoe Beck, bass; Brannen Temple, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.

Miles Davis’ Second Quintet (6.18.16)

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.

Chick Corea (4.10.16)

Chick Corea is an American jazz composer and pianist, known for his ability to smoothly glide between jazz standards, avant-garde jazz and fusion. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and work of Chick Corea, and what his approach to music can teach us today.

Jazz and the Art of Psychoanalysis (11.8.15)

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the relationship between jazz and psychoanalysis.

These early 20th century emerging ways of life have had a profound effect on our individual spiritual development as well as our identity as a larger civilization, as we consider our dreams, desires, loves, and fears. How do these two disciplines inform each other? How do those who have been outcast or in exile within society find a home in these inventive arts? What happens when Freud and Coltrane meet?

What does it mean to listen and what does it mean to reveal? How can disclosing our vulnerabilities make us more resilient? How can making peace with our past establish a more secure present and future? Where is music in all of this? We will listen to standards within the jazz canon, as we reflect upon the open and concealed ways that our spirit and mind conjoins.

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.

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.

Miles Davis (5.25.14)

Miles Davis is considered one of the most innovative and influential musicians of the 20th century. He added his voice to the narratives of our culture at significant points, and offered a perspective which considered the sanctity of silence in each moment. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe acknowledges what Miles Davis can teach us through this approach, not only in music but in our daily lives.

Mary Lou Williams (5.11.14)

Mary Lou Williams was a a giant in the jazz world in the beginning of the 20th century. As an arranger, composer and pianist she worked with Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman and went on to mentor jazz legends like Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi, jazz historian and musician Neil Blumofe explores how the idea of a “Mother” can be extended beyond our biological lines to include those who love and nurture us, and help to bring us up in this world so we can in turn help and love others.

Happy Mother’s Day!

V&B: Miles Davis and The Making of Kind of Blue Part I

It was an amazing evening at the Cactus Cafe September 20th, when KUT’s Views and Brews discussed Miles Davis and the Making of Kind of Blue: Jazz and the Art of Indirection. 

Miles Davis was known as the master of understatement. In his seminal work, Kind of Blue (1959), he helped to define a concept of cool that remains relevant. What lurks behind an image? What music is expressed in the notes that are not played?

As part of KUT’s Views and Brews series we engaged in a spirited discussion about Miles, his music, his relationships with his musicians, and the good and evil expended in the art of creation — and we enjoyed the incredible live music inspired by his work.

V&B: Miles Davis and The Making of Blue Part II

It was an amazing evening at the Cactus Cafe September 20th, when KUT’s Views and Brews discussed Miles Davis and the Making of Kind of Blue: Jazz and the Art of Indirection. 

Miles Davis was known as the master of understatement. In his seminal work, Kind of Blue (1959), he helped to define a concept of cool that remains relevant. What lurks behind an image? What music is expressed in the notes that are not played?

As part of KUT’s Views and Brews series we engaged in a spirited discussion about Miles, his music, his relationships with his musicians, and the good and evil expended in the art of creation — and we enjoyed the incredible live music inspired by his work.