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, Jeff goes back to the life and music of one of the great musical geniuses of the 20th century, Kansas City's Charlie "Bird" Parker.

Bought by KMUW, Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, GCR (Global Community Radio), KUGS Bellingham, Wash. and more


  • Added: Aug 08, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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The tenor saxophone is often thought of as being central to jazz music. In this episode, host Jeff Rupert makes the case for the jazz trombone, wit...

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


  • Added: Aug 01, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In this episode, Jeff Rupert dives into summer with music by Wynton Marsalis, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Hank Jones, Joao Gilberto, Al Jarreau, R...

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


  • Added: Jul 25, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff Rupert checks out west coast bands led by Terry Gibbs and Shorty Rogers.

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


  • Added: Jul 18, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In this show, Jeff Rupert illustrates how you “keep up with the Joneses” in jazz. How? By paying attention to the Jones brothers from Detroit: Hank...

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


  • Added: Jul 11, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week on Jazz and the American Spirit, Jeff Rupert dives into the works of Charlie “Bird” Parker and what made him a staple musician in jazz.

Bought by KMUW, Boise State Public Radio, KUGS Bellingham, Wash., KJZX-Austin, WCNY and more


  • Added: Jul 04, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 6
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This week on Jazz and the American Spirit, Jeff Rupert takes another look and listen to the music of the great American composer, Jerome Kern, and ...

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


  • Added: Jun 27, 2022
  • 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, KJZX-Austin, WCNY, and GCR (Global Community Radio)


  • Added: Jun 20, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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Jazz and the American Spirit host Jeff Rupert takes a look and listens to how a dance song by a guy from New Brunswick New Jersey changed jazz. Tha...

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


  • Added: Jun 13, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week Jeff ventures back to to the subject of the Hammond B3 organ and its use in Jazz.

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


  • Added: Jun 06, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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This week, Jeff dives into the evolution of a tune. With most genres, songs have definitive versions that are played exactly the same way all the t...

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


  • Added: May 29, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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Jeff explores the musical connection between Jerome Kern, a composer who was born 32 years before the first jazz recording, and jazz!

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


  • Added: May 23, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, it's all about the story tellers, story telling through music, the Great American Songbook, and the passion for being yourself and showi...

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


  • Added: May 16, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff Rupert dives into the work of Jimmy Lunceford. As one of jazz’s most influential bandleaders during the swing era, you won’t want t...

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


  • Added: May 09, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week Jeff checks out jazz’s notable Hammond organ players. Put on your sunglasses, take a slow drive through town and tune in to Jazz and The ...

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


  • Added: May 02, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff examines the amorous side of life and how artists convey that through music. Check it out on this episode of Jazz and The American ...

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


  • Added: Apr 25, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5
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In this episode, host Jeff Rupert looks at jazz artists following the mantra of Clark Terry on how to learn to play: Imitate, Emulate, Assimilate, ...

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


  • Added: Apr 18, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week, Jeff Rupert examines the deep roots of Memphis, specifically Memphis horn players like Hank Crawford, George Coleman, Louis Smith and mo...

Bought by Boise State Public Radio, KJZX-Austin, WCNY, and KUGS Bellingham, Wash.


  • Added: Apr 12, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week Jeff Rupert checks out the Memphis Scene, specifically Memphis piano players like Mulgrew Miller, James Williams, Donna Brown, Harold Mab...

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


  • Added: Apr 05, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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This week's episode may cause you to seek penance from your musical spiritual advisor. Jeff talks about the "Devil's Interval" and what it means to...

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


  • Added: Mar 28, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 5