The UNF Jack Kleinsinger Highlights in Jazz Archive, by Danny Gottlieb, Professor of Jazz Studies
Dr. Jack Kleinsinger is a former assistant attorney general of the State of New York.
He had a passion for jazz, and in 1973 decided to try producing jazz concerts. One successful concert led to another, and Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights in Jazz has become the longest running continuous jazz series in the history of New York. He has produced more than 316 jazz concerts to date, featuring the most popular and greatest names in jazz. Artists featured in his series include Doc Cheatham, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Roy Haynes, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Gary Burton, Maxine Sullivan, Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, Dave Brubeck, Roy Eldridge, Billy Taylor, Billy Higgins, Dick Hyman, Bucky Pizzarelli Jay Leonhart, Bobby Hackett, Cab Calloway, Art Farmer, Woody Herman, and hundreds more.
Jack has been a family friend for years, and I actually performed in concert 29, Tubby the Tuba in 1976. A few years ago, during a visit with Jack in his New York apartment, I noticed stacks of cassette tapes gathering dust. He explained that he had been allowed to record the concerts for archival purposes, and that he had just about every Highlights in Jazz concert recorded. Many of the more recent concerts were recorded to CD, but most of the concerts only existed on cassette. Some were quality board tapes, but others were primitive recordings made by Jack’s father holding a cassette deck in the front row!
Realizing that these were priceless, one-of-a-kind recordings, and that if anything should happen to them the recorded performances would be lost forever, I asked Jack if he would allow me to archive his material at UNF. He lovingly agreed, happy that someone who was a friend and who actually performed in his concerts would take such an interest.
With the help of Dean Shirley Hallblade, Courtenay McLeland, and the staff of the UNF Thomas G. Carpenter Library, we were able to secure a foundation grant and the UNF Digital Commons Jack Kleinsinger Library was born.
Jack has also been an avid collector of reviews, photos, and anything else associated with his concerts. In addition to the UNF music collection, he has also permitted us archive his more than 2000 pieces of printed memorabilia. Jack also has an uncanny memory for special events and personal anecdotes, and we have also been able to video tape Jack discussing special moments and memories associated with each concert.
It is the goal of this archival project to preserve and perpetuate the special musical moments that occurred within this collection of more than 500 hours of live music by honoring Jack’s original intent in making these recordings: that the music be archived, preserved and presented for educational purposes. We hope that every student, music researcher, and jazz lover will find an endless supply of creativity and a wealth of jazz knowledge in this collection, and that all will understand and celebrate the scope of the life’s work of one of jazz’s greatest producers and heroes: Jack Kleinsinger.
In 2016, Jack Kleinsinger donated his valuable archive of original tape recordings to the Carpenter Library, and UNF awarded Jack an Honorary Doctorate of Letters. We are so grateful for his lifetime of contribution to the arts, and his generous donation to this University.
We are using the video from his “Tribute The Charlie Parker” concert in all Evolution of Jazz classes to call student attention to Dr. Kleinsinger’s concert production and the archive that is housed at UNF.
In May of 2019, I appeared as a special guest at “Highlights” concert 339. In light of this archive, and Jack’s donation to our University, it was a honor that I will never forget. Thank you, Jack, for conceiving and designing each and every concert, and for providing us with this incredible music.
Special thanks to:
Brian Radock for his creative input and assistance with tape, CD, video production and document copy.
Joe Martin for his assistance with all financial and logistical planning for this grant.
Shirley Hallblade for her insight and assistance in all aspects of this project.
Courtenay, Ryan, Tracey, and all involved with UNF Digital Commons.
This digitized collection has been made accessible for the purposes of education and research. Due to the nature of archival collections, we are not always able to confirm the copyright status of certain materials. We are eager to hear from any rights owners, so that we may obtain accurate information. Upon request, we’ll remove material from public view while we address a rights issue.
This material is protected by the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 under the collective bargaining agreement, and made available for educational and study purposes. It is not available for copying, sampling or any use without written consent of local 802.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 001 - Jazz at the Theatre de Lys
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz Concert 1 -- Jazz at the Theatre de Lys. The concert was held at the Theatre de Lys on Monday, February 8, 1973 at 8:00 p.m. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of converts. Artists for this concert include Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Dr. Lyn Christie, Bobby Rosengarden, Joe Newman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gene Bertocini, and special guest Phil Bodner.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 002 – Tribute to Fats Waller
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger Presents Jazz at the Theatre de Lys. The series is also known as Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held Monday, March 5th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts and called the series "The Return of the Jam Session”. Artists for the Tribute to Fats Waller concert include Dick Hyman, Milt Hinton, Cliff Leeman, Al Casey, Phil Bodner, Pee Wee Erwin and Dicky Wells. Special guests: Jimmy Owens, Cecil Payne, Artie Miller, Maurice Walker.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 003 – Charlie Parker Memorial Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger Presents Jazz at the Theatre de Lys. The series is also known as Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held Monday, April 9th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the Charlie Parker Memorial concert include Jimmy Owens, Roy Haynes, Richard Davis, Howard McGhee, Lee Konitz, Ted Dunbar and Cecil Payne. Special guests: Joe Carroll, Bernard Purdie.
The concert includes the following performances:
Groovin' High
Donna Lee
Summertime
Blue & Boogie
Low Slow Blues
Ko-Ko
Lover Man
Billies Bounce
Parker's Blues
Ooh-Shoo-Be-Doo-Bee
Kansas City
Lee Konitz improvisation -
Highlights in Jazz Concert 004 – Clark Terry and Baby Lawrence
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger Presents Jazz at the Theatre de Lys. The series is also known as Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held Monday, May 14th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the Clark Terry and Baby Lawrence concert include Clark Terry, Baby Lawrence, Frank Wess, Gene Bertoncini, Sonny Brown, Chris White and Oliver Jackson. Special guest: Buddy Tate.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 005 – An Evening of Quiet Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger Presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held Monday, June 18th, 1973 at 7:30pm and 10:30pm at the Astor Place Theatre. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for An Evening of Quiet Jazz include Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, and Maxine Sullivan. Special guest: Ken Davern.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 006 – The Countsmen Meet the JPJ Quartet
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The Ultimate Jam Session was held Monday, July 16th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for The Countsmen Meet the JPJ, The Ultimate Jam Session include Doc Cheatham, Vic Dickenson, Earle Warren, Budd Johnson, Oliver Jackson, Bill Pemberton and Benny Aronov. Special guests: Jim Bartow, Ronnie Cole, Maxine Sullivan.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 007 – Gary Burton
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at Hunter College Playhouse on Monday, September 17th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for The Gary Burton concert include Gary Burton, George Benson; Joe Farrell, Dr. Lyn Christie, Billy Higgins, and Howard Johnson. Special guest: Nina Sheldon.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 008 – Clark Terry
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at the Hunter College Playhouse on Monday, October 15th, 1973 at 8:00 p.m. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert included Clark Terry, Charles McPherson, Grady Tate, Richard Wyands, George Duvivier, Dizzy Gillespie, John Birks Gillespie, Ray Nance, Ray Willis Nance, Jimmy Owens, and James Robert Owens. Benny Carter was part of the original lineup but was unable to make the gig.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 009 – Salute to Eddie Condon
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz Concert 9 – Salute to Eddie Condon. The concert was held at Hunter College Playhouse Monday, November 19th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Maxine Sullivan; Max Kaminsky; Kenny Davern; Milt Hinton; Dick Wellstood; Cliff Leeman; Herb Gardner. Special guests: Dill Jones, Perry Robinson and Joe Klee.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 010 – Accent on Percussion
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at Hunter College Playhouse Monday, December 17th, 1973 at 8:00pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the Accent on Percussion concert included Ray Barretto, Roy Haynes, Jaki Byard, Robin Kenyatta, Lew Soloff, Richard Davis, and Stella Marrs. Special guests: Richard Wyands and Albert Heath.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 011 - A Jazz Portrait of George Gershwin
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, January 14th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the Jazz Portrait of George Gershwin concert include Teddi King, Zoot Sims, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ellis Larkins, and Al Hall. Special guest: Cliff Leeman.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 012 - Gala First Anniversary
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, February 11th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the Gala First Anniversary concert include Jackie Cain, Roy Kral, Chuck Wayne, Joe Puma, Brooks Kerr, Matthew Gee, and Sam Woodyard. Special guest: Paul Quinichette and Cecil Payne.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 013 - Horns A Plenty
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, March 18th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the horns’ a plenty concert include Jimmy McPartland, Howard McGhee, Joe Newman, Dill Jones, Ted Dunbar, Larry Ridley, and Oliver Jackson. Special guests: Joe Carroll, Chas McGee, Al Drears.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 014 - Odetta/David Amram
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, May 6th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Odetta, David Amram, Pepper Adams, Jerry Dodgion, Herb Bushler and Al Harewood.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 015 - Billie Holiday Remembered
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, June 17th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Bennie Morton, Doc Cheatham, Earle Warren, Buddy Tate, George Wein, Panama Francis, George Duvivier, and Ruth Brisbane. Special guest: Haywood Henry. The scrapbook contains program notes, clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 016 - The Jazz/Latin Jam
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, October 7th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Ray Barretto, Ray Bryant, Jon Faddis, Joe Farrell, Joe Beck, Herb Bushler and Jimmy Madison. Special guests: Mel Lewis and Andrea Brachfeld.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 017 - Salute to Swing
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, December 16th, 1974 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Joe Newman, Zoot Sims, Phil Bodner, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Duvivier, Panama Francis, Hank Jones and Maxine Sullivan. Special guest: David Lee.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 018 - Bill Watrous' Manhattan Wildlife Refuge
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, February 10th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Bill Watrous and the Manhattan Wildlife Refuge. Special guest: Dr. Lyn Christie.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 019 - Jazz World Salute to Lionel Hampton
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, March 17th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Buddy Rich, Milt Hinton, George Duvivier, Frank Foster, Paul Jeffrey, Jual Curtis, Bob Rosengarden, Harold Mabern, Jimmy Nottingham and Stella Mars. Special guests: Clark Terry, Cecil Payne and William B. Williams.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 020 - The Great Ellington Reunion and Soprano Summit
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Monday, April 21th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Al Hibbler, Brooks Kerr, Russell Procope, Sonny Greer, Francis Williams, Bob Wilber, Ken Davern, George Duvivier, Ken Rosengarden and Marty Grosz. Special guests: Aaron Bell and Peter Dean.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 021 - Frank Foster's Loud Minority and Chet Baker
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Wednesday, June 16th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Frank Foster, Chet Baker, Bob Mover, Hal Galper, Dave Shapiro, Jimmy Madison. Special guest: Gene Bertonicini.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 022 – Return of the Jam Session
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Wednesday, October 1st, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Phil Woods, Red Rodney, Thad Jones, Hank Jones, Bill Watrous, Ron Carter, and Connie Kay. Special guest: Frank Wess.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 023 – Birdland Revisited
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Wedneday, November 5th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Buddy DeFranco, Billy Taylor, Howard McGhee, Cecil Payne, Eddie Jefferson, Charlie Persip, and Chris White. Special guest: Bill Barron.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 024 – Salute to Zoot
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Wednesday, December 10th, 1975 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Joe Newman, George Duvivier, Roy Eldridge, Major Holley, Cliff Leeman, Ross Tompkins, Joe Venuti and Bucky Pizzarelli. Special guest: Gerry Mulligan, Mousey Alexander, Mose Allison, Lynn Roberts and Al Porcino.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 025 – A Concert for Satchmo
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Eisner and Lubin Auditorium, Wednesday, January 7th, 1976 at 8:00pm in cooperation with the NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the monthly series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Bobby Hackett, Herb Hall, Vic Dickenson, Arvell Shaw, Oliver Jackson, Marty Napoleon, Brooks Kerr, Willis Conover and Mrs. Armstrong . Special guests: Doc Cheatham and Eubie Blake.