On this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe remembers the legendary patriarch of New Orleans Jazz, Ellis Marsalis. The post Ellis Marsalis appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer and arranger Ralph Towner. Born in Washington, Towner incorporates improvisation into much of his work. Blumofe encourages using Towner’s work to remind us of the multitudes within ourselves. The post Ralph Towne…

How can we distance ourselves from convenient situations to allow ourselves to see fresh perspectives? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about jazz saxophonist Dexter Gordon, one of the originators of the bebop sound. For much of his career, Gordon played in Europe and merged his sound with the …

How often do we engage in work by choice? How often is that work an obligation? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about avant-garde pianist, improviser and composer Myra Melford who uses music to transcend the everyday. Melford’s time studying classical Indian music as a Fulbright Scholar also s…

In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of Jack Sheldon, a bebop trumpeter, singer and actor, who voiced beloved characters on Schoolhouse Rock. Blumofe also discusses how Sheldon’s work serves as a reminder of the endless opportunities in life. The post Jack Sheldon appeared…

How does the sudden loss of a central figure change the local music community? How does the community deal with that loss? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of Austin jazz pianist Rich Harney who passed away on Jan. 5, 2020. The post Rich Harney appeared first on KUT & …

What does it mean to create a legacy? How do we hold at once the future and the present as we move through the world? In this installment of Liner Notes with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe, we learn about the life and career of jazz great Joe Lovano, who continues to collaborate and create while bringing the history of jazz into the 21st cen…

In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and music of Palmieri can teach us about identity, the power of movement, and the necessity of community. Eddie Palmieri is an American pianist, bandleader, musician, and composer of Puerto Rican ancestry. He is the founder of the bands La Perfecta, La P…

Terry Gibbs is an American vibraphonist and bandleader who remains the oldest bebopper at the age of 95. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Gibbs’s long career can teach us about inclusion and unity in the face of isolation and fear. The post Terry Gibbs appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Pod…

Azar Lawrence is an American jazz saxophonist who was hired by McCoy Tyner following the death of John Coltrane. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what Lawrence can teach us about continuing a legacy, finding our voice, and knowing our value while holding on to our mortality. The post Azar Lawrence ap…

Les McCann is an American jazz pianist and vocalist. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about McCann’s influential life and work, and how it can inform us today. The post Les McCann appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

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 …

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and work of jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheny. The post Pat Metheny appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

Art Neville was an American singer, songwriter, and keyboardist whose music and presence over five decades defined the New Orleans music scene. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the life and legacy of Art Neville. The post Art Neville appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about jazz and the art of mental health. The post Mental Health appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

Rethink conspiracy through the appreciation of art, hard work, and beautiful music with Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe. The post Conspiracy appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

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. The post Summertime appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

Eugene “Jug” Ammons AKA “The Boss” was a tenor saxophonist known for his bold, R&B-soul sound. His vast discography as a bandleader and occasional sideman stretch from the 1950s to the 1970s. In this episode of Liner Notes, Rabbi Neil Blumofe discusses the legacy of Gene Ammons. The post Gene Ammons appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

Clarence “King Pleasure” Beeks was a fronting vocalist and early innovator of the “vocalese” style, whose discography spanned two decades in the mid twentieth century. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe discusses the career and influence of King Pleasure. The post King Pleasure appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios…

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. The post George Benson appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

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 Lin…

Through his innovative post-bop, fusion and soul jazz, guitarist Pat Martino overcame a memory crisis and focused on the present to rediscover his technique. In this edition of Liner Notes, jazz historian and Rabbi Neil Blumofe recollects Pat Martino, his struggle with amnesia, and how he re-learned his iconic technique. The post Pat Martino appear…

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 B…

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” – …

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 Syria…

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 post The History Of Blue Not…

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” The post The New Year & Responsibility appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

“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…

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. The post Henry Butler (7.8.18) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

“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. The post Summertime (6.23.18) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.…

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of jazz in the “Live Music Capital of The World.” The post Austin (2.25.18) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about love and its discontents. The post Jazz and The Art of Love appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.By KUT & KUTX Studios, Neil Blumofe

T-Bone Walker was an American Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who’s sound and technique influenced generations of blues artists and helped create the foundation for what would become rock and roll. In this installment of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe talks about how the life and legacy of T-Bone Wa…

Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, discusses the transitional music stylings of Sidney Bechet, using his legacy as a model for how we c…

Larry Coryell was an American jazz guitarist known as the “Godfather of Fusion”. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses the complex fusion of Larry Coryell’s music to reflect on our own sense of contradicting feeling and give us the courage to face and exist in these many worlds simultaneously. The post Larry C…

Jason Marsalis is an American jazz drummer and member of the Marsalis family of musicians. He worked as a sideman in mainstream jazz, funk, and jazz fusion groups, as well as with esteemed pianist, Marcus Roberts. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses Jason Marsalis’ freedom in self-expression to encourage us …

James Moody was an American jazz saxophone and flute player, playing predominantly in the bebop and hard bop styles. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, talks about how the versatility of James Moody can teach us to embrace the complexity of human nature. The post James Moody appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios …

Herbie Mann was an American jazz player, most noted for being among the first jazz musicians to specialize on the flute as an important early practitioner of world music. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses the life and music of Herbie Mann to emphasize the need for sharing and creating together in a world t…

Booker Little, Jr., was an American Jazz trumpeter and composer, performing with John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy until his early death at the age of 23. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses the music and legacy of Booker Little to remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of having courage to face e…

Ornette Coleman was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer, and was one of the major innovators of the free jazz movement of the 1960s, a term he invented with the name of his 1961 album. In this edition of Liner Notes, Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe, uses the improvisatory style of Ornette Coleman to teach how sur…

Allen Toussaint was an American musician, songwriter and record producer who’s legacy largely defined our imagined connection to the story of New Orleans. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian, Neil Blumofe talks about what the music of Toussaint can teach us today about the value of human connection and the power of music to brin…

Cassandra Wilson is an American jazz vocalist, composer and songwriter who remains one of the most prominent American voices on the jazz scene. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what we can learn from Wilson’s life and work. The post Cassandra Wilson (12.4.16) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Po…

Roy Hargrove is an American jazz trumpeter who made a name for himself in the early 90s with his first solo record Diamond in The Rough and went on to record with jazz greats like Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine and others. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of H…

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 — …

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 — …

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 j…

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 — …

Branford Marsalis is an American jazz instrumentalist and composer whose work expands spaces and understandings of the role of jazz in almost every musical genre. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what the life and work of Branford Marsalis can teach us today. The post Branford Marsalis (8.28.16) appea…

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…

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. The post Hank Jon…