Kutx >> Liner Notes

Chico Hamilton was a jazz drummer and band leader who began his career in California, playing with Charles Mingus, Dexter Gordan and others. He helped to develop an avant-garde sound in jazz in the late 50s and 60s that was, at the same time, accessible and elusive. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and […] The post Chico Hamilton (9.21.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Kenny Dorham (8.31.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Tony Bennett (8.3.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Johnny Hodges (7.27.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Lee Morgan was an American jazz trumpeter who continued in the wake of Clifford Brown to develop the hard-bop style. He was a prolific recording artist as well, and in his short 33 years of life, recorded over 20 albums. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about what […] The post Lee Morgan (7.20.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Johnny Hartman (7.6.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Eric Dolphy (6.29.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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. The post George Gershwin (6.22.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Jaki Byard (6.15.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Yusef Lateef (6.8.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Alfred Lion and Blue Note Records (6.1.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Miles Davis (5.25.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Archie Shepp (5.18.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Mary Lou Williams (5.11.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Professor Longhair (5.4.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

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 […] The post Lionel Hampton (4.20.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Charlie Rouse was an American hard bop tenor saxophonist and much sought-after sideman. He is known primarily for his collaboration with Thelonious Monk. In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about the significance of the role of the “sidemen” and “associates” in our lives, and why it is important […] The post Charlie Rouse (4.13.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Bill Frisell is not only an innovator on jazz guitar, but has worked in many genres to develop a sound-rich landscape. He fuses many cultures and sensibilities together, which can help us navigate our way through the modern American experience, both tangibly and metaphysically. Rabbi Neil Blumofe describes his sound as post-post-modern. The post Bill Frisell (3.23.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

What does it mean to be a patron of the arts? Perhaps you have the means to support art innovation in your community, or maybe you are a producer of music or art and you work behind the scenes. Maybe your way of supporting art is just showing up. All of these are means of […] The post Jazz and The Art of Patronage (3.30.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Singer Nat King Cole is well known for his smooth baritone voice, but he started his career as a jazz pianist. His popularity grew through radio and eventually television as he sang a broad range of tunes, including pop music. The post Nat King Cole (3.16.14) appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.