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.


165 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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Things heat up on this week's episode as host Jeff Rupert dives into some hot jazz!

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


  • Added: Jul 14, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff dives into the works of alto saxophonist Phil Woods.

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


  • Added: Jul 09, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff features ‘fruit’ themed jazz. Find out what that means on this episode of Jazz and The American Spirit!

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


  • Added: Jun 30, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff features ‘street’ themed jazz. Find out what that means on this episode of Jazz and The American Spirit!

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


  • Added: Jun 23, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff dives into the visceral side of jazz and ‘greasy’ music.

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


  • Added: Jun 16, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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On this week’s episode of Jazz and The American Spirit, Jeff checks out some of the more popular up-tempo songs in jazz.

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


  • Added: Jun 08, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff takes a look at more artists influenced by Charlie Parker.

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


  • Added: Jun 01, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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On this episode of Jazz and The American Spirit, Jeff dives into artists who were inspired by the legendary saxophonist Lester Young.

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


  • Added: May 26, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff checks out some of the most important bossa nova artists.

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


  • Added: May 18, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week, Jeff dives into popular song structures in jazz.

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


  • Added: May 12, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff takes a look into artists who took residence at the Well'sbuilt Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

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


  • Added: May 04, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5

  • Added: Apr 27, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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On this episode of Jazz and The American Spirit, Jeff showcases some of the great musicians from the last half of the 20th century. Lee Morgan, Art...

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


  • Added: Apr 20, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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On the second installment of "Love Lost", we hear the story told through artists such as Billie Holiday, Helen Humes, Hank Crawford and others.

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


  • Added: Apr 06, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff checks out the works of Etta Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Parker and more.

Bought by CHSR-FM 97.9, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio, Northwest Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Mar 29, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week, Jeff checks out the works of Joseph Edward “Flip” Phillips and Arnett Cobb.

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


  • Added: Mar 23, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week, Jeff checks out the early years of Wayne Shorter’s works.

Bought by KMUW, WNMU-FM, KJZX-Austin, Boise State Public Radio, WCNY and more


  • Added: Mar 16, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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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 KMUW, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), Northwest Public Broadcasting, WCNY and more


  • Added: Feb 15, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6