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.


160 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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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 90.5 WESA, KJZX-Austin, Northwest Public Broadcasting, GCR (Global Community Radio), Boise State Public Radio and more


  • Added: Jan 02, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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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 KMUW, Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), and WCNY


  • Added: Nov 28, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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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 WVPE, Boise State Public Radio, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Oct 24, 2022
  • Length: 58:58
  • Purchases: 3
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This week, Jeff examines the music of The Great White Way—Broadway. It’s no secret that jazz musicians draw from the Great American Songbook for in...

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


  • Added: Oct 18, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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This week, Jeff checks out the mortar between the bricks. The bricks of great American music: jazz, rhythm and blues, music of the church and even ...

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


  • Added: Oct 11, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 2
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This week, Jeff takes us through some Kenny Burrell, Nat King Cole, Art Pepper, Ella Fitzgerald and more.

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


  • Added: Oct 11, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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This week, Jeff examines the Texas tenors including Illinois Jacquet, Buddy Tate, Arnett Cobb, David ‘Fathead” Newman and many more.

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


  • Added: Sep 30, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff takes us all around the world to places like Sweden, Africa and New Jersey.

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


  • Added: Sep 19, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff takes a look at jazz and back to school with "School Days."

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


  • Added: Sep 12, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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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 Boise State Public Radio, WCNY, KJZX-Austin, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Sep 06, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week on Jazz and the American Spirit Jeff Rupert commemorates Labor Day with a deep dive on music from artists like Tommy Flanagan, Dexter Gor...

Bought by KMUW, WVIA, South Dakota Public Broadcasting - Radio, Boise State Public Radio, WCNY and more


  • Added: Aug 29, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week on Jazz and the American Spirit Jeff Rupert revisits all things slide trombone, and features selections from the blues, bebop, modern jaz...

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


  • Added: Aug 22, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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This week, Jeff Rupert is taking a musical trip with Stan Getz, Horace Silver, Danny Walsh, Michael Franks and many more in a show he calls “Places.”

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


  • Added: Aug 15, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4