Liner Notes
Latest Episodes
Mal Waldron
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,
Pat Martino
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,
Bobby Hutcherson
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,
Leonard Bernstein and What Is Jazz?
“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...
Henry Butler (7.8.18)
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.
Summertime (6.23.18)
“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.
Austin (2.25.18)
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.”
Jazz and The Art of Love
In this edition of Liner Notes Rabbi and jazz historian Neil Blumofe talks about love and its discontents.
T-Bone Walker (5.28.17)
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.
Sidney Bechet
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,