KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts
KUT and KUTX news and music podcasts for Austin, Texas and beyond
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”.
Sigmund Freud wrote: “every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. One’s ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.” How are we complicit in dehumanizing others, and how are we in turn, dehumanized? How do we cope with the unsettling of our fears and the scars of our traumas — in our amusements, and in the casual conversations that we have?
How does music help us navigate both our civilizing presence and our raw emotions that run much deeper, beneath? How do the experiences of 20th century jazz musicians help to instruct us in the powerful lessons of difference, Othering, and perseverance?
This episode of Liner Notes was recorded live at our Views & Brews event. It’s a marriage of robust conversation and spectacular music, featuring David Young, trumpet; Andre Hayward, trombone; Michael Malone, saxophone; Sean Giddings, piano; Richard Michael, bass; Scott Laningham, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe, in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.
Sigmund Freud wrote: “every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. One’s ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.” How are we complicit in dehumanizing others, and how are we in turn, dehumanized? How do we cope with the unsettling of our fears and the scars of our traumas — in our amusements, and in the casual conversations that we have?
How does music help us navigate both our civilizing presence and our raw emotions that run much deeper, beneath? How do the experiences of 20th century jazz musicians help to instruct us in the powerful lessons of difference, Othering, and perseverance?
This episode of Liner Notes was recorded live at our Views & Brews event. It’s a marriage of robust conversation and spectacular music, featuring David Young, trumpet; Andre Hayward, trombone; Michael Malone, saxophone; Sean Giddings, piano; Richard Michael, bass; Scott Laningham, drums; and Rabbi Neil Blumofe, in conversation with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy.
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was an American jazz tenor saxophone player who was known for his ability to play multiple instruments at once. He was an outspoken activist and was known also for his sense of humor on stage.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the lessons we can learn from Roland Kirk’s approach to music and to life.
Hank Jones was a American jazz piano player who’s long career spanned over half a century. He played with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe and gained a reputation as an adaptive and supportive musician.
In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Hank Jones.
Jon Faddis is an American jazz trumpeter who is known, in part, for his collaborations with Charles Mingus, early in his career, and later with Dizzy Gillespie. Faddis, not only continues to re-imagine their works, but also to educate musicians on the importance of using jazz as a tool to communicate in our time.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of Jon Faddis can teach us about working within tradition to evolve, to discover, and to develop as we move through the world each day.
“Progressive art,” said Salvador Dali. “Can assist people to learn not only about the objective forces at work in the society in which they live, but also about the intensely social character of their interior lives. Ultimately, it can propel people toward emancipation.”
I’m not sure Max Roach would agree with that, but he definitely was part of a collective conversation which challenged the power of art, the concept of freedom, and the sanctity of tradition.
Listen back as we discuss Max Roach and The Art of Emancipation, on this edition of Views and Brews, with KUT’s Rebecca McInroy in conversation with Rabbi and Jazz historian Neil Blumofe.
Some of Texas’s jazz musicians are featured on this show including: Shelley Carroll on tenor sax; Ephraim Owens on trumpet; Brannen Temple on Drums; Roscoe Beck on Bass; and Red Young on Piano.
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.
Views and Brews is a discussion show taped live at the Cactus Cafe. In this episode KUT’s Rebecca McInroy talks with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, Itzik Gottesman, and David Gilden about the past, present, and future of klezmer music. Along with the interview, five bands join the stage to illustrate the various styles of klezmer.
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.
Blues and the Abstract Truth the triumph of band leader, arranger, and saxophonist Oliver Nelson. It helped to define the sound of an era with the classic “Stolen Moments”, but also assembled an all-star cast of musicians including: Eric Dolphy; Bill Evans; Paul Chambers; and Roy Haynes.
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of this seminal record, and what it means to explore truths through abstraction.
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.
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 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 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.
Alfred Lion was a German-Jewish born record executive who made his way to the U.S. via South America in the 1930s. He founded Blue Note Records soon after arriving in America and went on to record many legendary jazz artists; helping to shape the sound, image and meaning of jazz in America. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores the significance of Lion’s vision and Blue Note Records.
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.
Archie Shepp is a jazz saxophonist whose compositions and rhythms added a political and powerful voice to conversations about race, inequality, power and justice in America, especially in the 1970s. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the what it means to be a unique voice in a dialogue of timelessness–rooted in tradition and continuing to unfold.
Professor Longhair, born Henry Roeland Byrd in Louisianan in 1918 was a piano player who shaped the sound of New Orleans’ jazz in the early 20th Century. Much of how we imagine New Orleans, and especially Marti Gras, is flavored and textured by the rhythm created by Professor Longhair. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi Neil Blumofe explores what it means explore the New Orleans of today through the ghosts of it’s past.
Lionel Hampton was was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. In 1936 he was discovered by Benny Goodman and with Goodman’s band he created a space for the vibraphone in popular swing music. He was also a outspoken advocate for Israel in the 50s as well as a civil rights leader.
In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe explores how Hampton’s hard work and dedication to not only his music, but to an ethos of revolution and freedom, allows us to recognize the importance of the private day-to-day work that goes into building a life of worth and meaning.