Jazz and the American Spirit

Series produced by WUCF

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Jazz and the American Spirit examines the great stories of Jazz across America by looking at and listening to the musicians who have created it. Hosted by saxophonist and University of Central Florida Director of Jazz Studies Jeff Rupert.

Each week "Jazz and the American Spirit" examines the great stories of Jazz across America by telling the stories of the musicians who have created it. Saxophonist and University of Central Florida Director of Jazz Studies Jeff Rupert hosts the program, and thru music and storytelling he demonstrates how jazz is deeply connected to the history of America. Music featured in each week's program will paint a picture of America, thru jazz. Produced by WUCF FM 89.9, Orlando, Florida.


110 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This week, Jeff checks out the works of Joseph Edward “Flip” Phillips and Arnett Cobb.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, and Northwest Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Mar 23, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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This week, Jeff checks out the early years of Wayne Shorter’s works.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, and Northwest Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Mar 16, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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In the fifth volume of Hard Bop, Jeff dives into the works of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Curtis Fuller and many more.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, Northwest Public Broadcasting, and WCNY


  • Added: Mar 01, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In the third volume of jazz piano trios, Jeff Rupert dives into the works of Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Kenny Barron and many more.

Bought by KMUW, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Northwest Public Broadcasting, Boise State Public Radio and more


  • Added: Feb 23, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week, Jeff checks out the collaborative efforts between Billie Holiday and Lester Young from 1933 up until 1940.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Northwest Public Broadcasting, WCNY, and Boise State Public Radio


  • Added: Feb 15, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff takes a look at jazz in 3/4 time. Featured artists include Mongo Santamaria, Wes Montgomery, Thad Jones and more.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, Northwest Public Broadcasting, and WCNY


  • Added: Feb 09, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In this second installment of jazz piano trios, Jeff checks out artists such as Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk and more.

Bought by KMUW, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, WCNY and more


  • Added: Feb 01, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week, Jeff checks out the music of Joe Henderson, Grant Green, Miles Davis and many more for an exposé of the Hard Bop movement of jazz.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, and WCNY


  • Added: Jan 27, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week Jeff examines the music and piano playing of Don Grolnick.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), WCNY, and Boise State Public Radio


  • Added: Jan 19, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff checks out the most dynamic jazz chamber groups ever—the jazz piano trio.

Bought by KMUW, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, and WCNY


  • Added: Jan 11, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, it’s all about hardbop. Join us as we listen to Horace Silver, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Cannonball Adderley, Wes Montgomery a...

Bought by KJZX-Austin, Northwest Public Broadcasting, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, and WCNY


  • Added: Jan 02, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff examines the John Kirby Sextet along with Charlie Shavers and Russell Procope from Duke Ellington's band.

Bought by KJZX-Austin, Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Dec 20, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff checks out the blues—how Charlie Parker, Sonny Clark, Eddie Harris and more navigate through the blues.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Dec 13, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff brings us the double entendre in jazz — cookin'! I'm hungry already just thinking about it...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, WCNY, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Dec 05, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff brings us the music of saxophonists Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 28, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff checks out fifty second street, Vine Street, Lonely Avenue and more…

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 23, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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This week is all about you, with Jeff bringing Grant Green, Dinah Washington, Woody Shaw and more into the mix!

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 15, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff examines two great trumpeters from the swing era – Joe Newman and Charlie Shavers

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 08, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff examines the makings of a great jazz singer.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 02, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In this special Halloween show, Jeff Rupert takes a look and listen to all things Halloween and Jazz! Are you up for Dracula’s Dance, That Old Blac...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Oct 24, 2022
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 2