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.


161 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This week on Jazz and the American Spirit - host Jeff Rupert introduces us to the “Gunslingers”, the tenor sax players who first stepped out as sol...

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


  • Added: Feb 11, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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Hard bop answers the question jazz musicians asked of what to do after Charlie Parker? Hard bop is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and rec...

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


  • Added: Feb 09, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week we continue our hard dive into the Hard Bop Movement, specifically the blues and the Hard Bop Movement. Art Blakey, the jazz drummer from...

Bought by WCNY, Boise State Public Radio, and WCNY


  • Added: Feb 15, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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Next up on Jazz and the American Spirit, we examine love lost, hard times, the unattainable and the siren song in jazz. Join our host, Jeff Rupert,...

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


  • Added: Feb 22, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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Next up on Jazz and the American Spirit is “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”. Jeff Rupert talks about travelling, getting from point A to point B, a...

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


  • Added: Mar 01, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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In this Jazz and the American Spirit to commemorate Women’s History Month, Jeff Rupert discusses and listens to all things women! Women in jazz is ...

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


  • Added: Mar 08, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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On this episode of Jazz and the American Spirit, Jeff Rupert talks about their musical partnership and checks out all things Billy Strayhorn and Du...

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


  • Added: Mar 15, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In this episode of Jazz and the American Spirit Jeff Rupert continues surveying the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Did you know there...

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


  • Added: Mar 22, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In this episode of Jazz and the American Spirit, Jeff Rupert takes a look at jazz and the Birth of the Cool. But hasn’t jazz always been cool from ...

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


  • Added: Mar 29, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In Part Two of The Birth of the Cool, Jeff Rupert continues his look at the players who are a part of the movement. Including an alto sax player wh...

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


  • Added: Apr 05, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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Jeff Rupert examines the earthy, funky, bluesy sound of Soul Jazz. To illustrate the genre, Jeff brings along Donald Byrd, Harold Mabern, Les McCan...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, KUGS Bellingham, Wash., and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Apr 14, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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Jeff Rupert continues his survey of Soul Jazz, the music that combines Rhythm and Blues and Jazz music.

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, KUGS Bellingham, Wash., and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Apr 19, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In 1959 the Dodgers won the World Series, Dwight Eisenhower is President, Rod Serlings Twilight Zone premiers on TV and it was a very good year for...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio and WCNY


  • Added: Apr 26, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 2
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Jeff Rupert continues checking out the music that was released and recorded in 1959. Up this week is Joao Gilberto, Miles Davis, Abbey Lincoln and ...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio and WCNY


  • Added: May 04, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 2
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This week is all about Gabriel's Trumpet section. That, of course, is Duke Ellington's trumpet section. The great soloists, Cat Anderson, Clark Ter...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio and WCNY


  • Added: May 11, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 2
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This is Part Two of Gabriel’s Trumpet Section. That is the name for Duke Ellington’s horn soloists, including Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance,...

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


  • Added: May 17, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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Jazz and the American Spirit host Jeff Rupert takes a look and listen to how a dance song by a guy from New Brunswick, New Jersey changed jazz. Tha...

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


  • Added: May 24, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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Jeff Rupert introduces us to the “Gunslingers”, the tenor sax players who first stepped out as soloists with the regional swing bands. The hotbed f...

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


  • Added: Jun 01, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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Jeff Rupert examines the Old Testament and New Testament Count Basie bands. What’s that about? Fire-and-brimstone-knock-you-down big band verses th...

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


  • Added: Jun 08, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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In this show, called “Coltrane Takes a Leap,” host Jeff Rupert takes a listen to the transition in the sound of tenor saxophone player, John Coltra...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, KAZU Seaside, Calif., and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Jun 15, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4