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, Faith, Ryan, Tracey, and all involved with UNF Digital Commons.
A message of thanks and appreciation to Local 802, American Federation of Musicians, by Professor Danny Gottlieb, Lifetime member of local 802, New York, and currently, local 257, Nashville.
This concert audio collection is made available through the generosity of The American Federation of Musicians, Local 802, New York City, of which Dr. Kleinsinger was an avid supporter. All of the musicians performing on these concerts have been paid through Union Contract, and are protected and will reap the benefits provided by this contract and Union membership.
We encourage ALL musicians to join their local Musician's Union in order to receive all of the benefits that they have earned and so greatly deserve. These concerts are made available for educational and study purposes only. They are not available for copying, sampling or any use without written consent of local 802.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 258- Statesmen of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, November 4th, 2004 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Warren Vache, Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Wilder, Bob Kindered, Derek Smith, Earl May, and Eddie Locke. Surprise guest Carol Slone.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 259- 2004 Downbeat Hall of Fame Winner
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, December 2nd, 2004 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Roy Hanes, Martin Bejerano, John Sullivan, Walter Smith the 3rd, Benny Green, Russell Malone, and Bob Dorough. Surprise guest Henry Grimes.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 260- An Evening of Early Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, January 6th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Wycliffe Gordon, Ken Peplowski, Randy Sandke, Carrie Smith, Nicki Parrot, Alvin Atkinson, Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra, Orange Kellin, Jon-Erik Kellso, John Gill, Brad Shigeta, Skye Steele, Conal Fowkes, and Rob Garcia. Special Guests Marty Grosz, Terry Waldo, and Aaron Diehl.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 261- Highlights in Jazz 32nd Anniversary
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, February 10th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jimmy Perey Heath, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Jeb Patton, Albert Heath, Kevin Mahogany, Paul West, and Surprise guest Corey Allen.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 262- Salute to Jimmy Cobb
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, March 10th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Clark Terry, Bill Charlap, Lou Donaldson, Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein, Mike LeDonne, Kenny Washington, Jimmy Cobb, Richard Wayans, Jon Webber, Houston Person, and surprise guest Rufus Reid.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 263- Jazz Singers/ Songwriters
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, April 14th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishbery, Ray Kilday, Dave Sulliman, and Young Hoofers, with surprise guest Napoleon.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 264- Keepers of the Flame
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, May 12th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Dick Hyman, Peter Cincotti, Marcus Belgrave, Randy Sandke, Theo Cheatham Croker, Charlie Gabriel, Chuck Folds, Hugh Leal, Murray Wall, Steve Little, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks with Andy Stein, Dave Brown, Jon-Erik Kellso, Harvey Tipps, Dan Bloch, Andy Faber, Dan Levison, Peter Yaron, Nick Russo, and John Gill. Surprise guest Scott Kreutzer.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 265- Keely Smith in Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, October 6th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Keely Smith, Dennis Michaels, Frank Derek, Chip Jackson, Ken Levinsky, Jerry Vivino, Jack Bashkow, Ben Griffin, Jim O'Connor, and surprise guest Earl Gardner.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 266- Back by Popular Request
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, November 10th, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Freddy Cole, Ken Peplowski, Marty Grosz, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Jon-Erik Kellso, Dan Levison, Herb Gardner, John Gill, Nick Russo, Mark Lepham, Dan Block, Fred Sheath, Dave Brown, Andy Stein. Surprise guests Jerry Bird, Curtis Boyd, and Elias Bailey.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 267- Salute to Kenny Davern
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, December 1st, 2005 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Kenny Davern, Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Harry Allen, Norman Simmons, Jon-Erik Kellso, James Chirillo, Greg Cohen, Tony DeNicola, and surprise guest Nikki Perrott.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 268- An Evening of Jazz Guitar
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, January 5th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Bucky Pizzarelli, Russell Malone, Gene Bertoncini, Frank Vignola, with special guests Jay Leonhard and Wycliffe Gordon.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 269- Highlights in Jazz 33rd Anniversary
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, February 9th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include the Bill Charlap Trio, Kenny Washington, Peter Washington, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, and Frank Wess.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 270- I Love A Piano
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, March 9th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Barbara Carroll, Jay Leonhart, Joe Ascione, Junior Mance, Eric Reed, Gerald Cannon, Willie Jones III, and surprise guest Randy Sandke.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 271- The Ultimate Jam Session
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, April 6th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jimmy Cobb, Mulgrew Miller, David "Fathead" Newman, Lew Soloff, Steve Turre, Ernie Watts, and surprise guests Ray Drummond and Roland Barber.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 272- Voices Of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, May 11th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Blossom Dearie, Ray Kilday, Dave Solomon, Kevin Mahogany and surprise guests Charles Haynes, Chuck Bergeron, and Daniela Schacter.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 273- Fun With Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, October 19th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include John Pizzarelli, Martin Pizzarelli, Larry Fuller, Bucky Pizzarelli, Wycliffe Gordon, Lay Leonhart, and surprise guest Tony Tedesco.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 274- We Call It Music
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, November 9th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Mose Allison, Ken Peplowski, Marty Grosz, Charles McPherson, Ron Matthews, Ray Drummond, Ratso Harris, Anthony Pinciotti, Jeb Patton, and surprise guest Chuck McPherson.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 275- Statesmen Of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents HighlightsDecember 7th, 2006 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Buddy DeFranco, Howard Alden, Derek Smith, Randy Sandke, Rufus Reid, and Ed Metz Jr.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 276- Salute to Lou Donaldson
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, January 4th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Lou Donaldson, Cyrus Chestnut, Eric Alexander, Joe Farnsworth, Mike LeDonne, Grant Stewart, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Randy Johnston, and Fukushi Tainaka.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 277- Highlights in Jazz 34th Anniversary
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, February 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Lew Soloff, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, Sol Yaged, Trio Da Paz, Jon-Erik Kellso, Dan Levinson, Bob Garcia, Dan Block, Dave Brown, and surprise guests Marian Cowings and Alexander Cowings.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 278- Cabaret Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, March 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Barbara Carroll, Ken Peplowski, Jay Leonhart, Joe Ascione, Paula West, Randy Sandke, and Suprise guest George Mesterhazy, Ed Cherry, Vicente Archer, and Tony Reedus.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 279- Thelonious Monk's 90th Birthday Celebration
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, April 12th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Kenny Barron, Ben Riley and his Monk Legacy Seotet, Rome Neal, Amiri Baraka, Ben Riley, Don Sicklet, Freddie Bryant, Jan Bradford, Wayne Escoffery, Bruce Williams, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and special guest John Dimartino.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 280- Keely Smith In Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, May 10th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Keely Smith, Dennis Michaels, Jerry Vivino, Michael Morelli, Mike Merritt, Steve Bargonetti, and Surprise guests Kenny Ascher, and Ray Marchica.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 281- Trio Time
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Cyrus Chestnut, George Mraz, Lewis Nash, Buck Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, and James Chirillo.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 282- Keepers of the Flame
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Thursday, November 15th, 2007 at 8:00 pm. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Carol Sloane, Bill Charlap, Norman Simmons, Victor Lin, Michael Olatuja, Joe Sailor, Ben Cassorla, and surprise guests Steve LaSpina and Sheila Earley.