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.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 130 - The Jazz Latin Jam
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, December 15th, 1988 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Ray Barretto, Paquito D’Rivera, Steve Turre, Lew Soloff, Junior Mance, Michel Camilo and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Special guest: Anthony Jackson.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 131 - The Gala 16th Anniversary Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, February 2nd, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Clark Terry, Frank Wess, Niels Lan Doky, Barney Kessel, Major Holley, Kenny Washington, Marion Cowings and Kim Shaw. Special guests: Lynn Seaton and Ronnie Cuber.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 132 - Salute to Red Rodney
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, March 9th, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Red Rodney, Jimmy Heath, Benny Powell, Claudio Roditi, Dick Oatts, Gary Dial, Jay Anderson and Greg Hutchinson. Special guests: Monty Alexander, Ray Drummond and Akira Tana.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 133 - Jazz Legends on Film Part VI
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
On Thursday, April 6th, 1989 at NYU Loeb Student Center in association with NYU program board, Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz featured a collection titled “Jazz Legends on Film” from film historian David Chertok. The film utilized film shorts, clips from longer films and excerpts from early television to make a presentation of rare jazz performances. Artists include Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Erroll Garner, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman and more.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 134 - Blues and Boogie
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, May 4th, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jay McShann, Panama Francis, Harold Ashby, Joey Cavaseno, Gene Bertoncini, and Jack Lesberg. Special guest: Spanky Davis.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 135 - The Art of Swing
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, October 5th, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jay Leonhart, Louie Bellson, John Bunch, Ted Nash and Hank Jones. Special guest: Dave Holland.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 136 - Women of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, October 5th, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Odetta, Laurel Masse, Carline Ray, Willene Barton, Sherrie Maricle and Bertha Hope. Dorothy Donegan was unable to attend. Special guest: Dean Rolandi, Terry Waldo, Greg Cohn and Martha Frazier.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 137 - Blues and Other Delights
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, December 7th, 1989 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jimmy Witherspoon, Harold Ashby, David “Fathead” Newman, Arvell Shaw, Kenny Washington, and Bross Townsend. Special guest: Bill Wertzel.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 138 - The World of Milt Hinton
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, January 11th, 1990 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Milt Hinton, Major Holley, Doc Cheatham, Phil Bodner, Derek Smith, Jane Jarvis and Bob Rosengarden . Special guests: Cab Calloway, Branford Marsallis, Frank Wess, Duffy Jackson and Red Mitchell.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 139 - 17th Anniversary Concert - A Gala Celebration
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, February 1st, 1990 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Clark Terry, Al Grey, Junior Mance, Selden Powell, Oliver Jackson, and Marcus McLaurine. Special guests: Bucky Pizzarelli, Martin Pizzarelli, and John Pizzarelli.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 140 - Fun with Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, March 1st, 1990 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Dorothy Donegan, Major Holley, Ray Mosca, The Orphan Newsboys, Marty Grosz, Peter Ecklund, Ken Peplowski, and Murray Wall. Special guest: Frank Vignola.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 141 - We Call it Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, April 5th, 1990 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Danillo Perez, Mark Walker, Dave Finck, Herb Ellis and Raphael Cruz. Special guests: Hervey S and Lew Soloff.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 142 - Salute to Jimmy Heath
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at NYU Loeb Student Center, Thursday, May 3rd, 1990 at 8:00pm in association with NYU program board. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Kenny Barron, Red Rodney, Tony Purrone, Jimmy Owens, Akira Tana, Ben Brown, and the McDonalds Tri-State Allstar Band. Special guest: Donald Hanson.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 143 - House Party
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 11th, 1990 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Flip Phillips, Dakota Staton, Howard Alden, John Bunch, Oliver Jackson, and Jack Lesberg. Special guests: Rob Bargad, Tyler Mitchell and Paula Hampton.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 144 - Big Band Bash
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 8th, 1990 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Louie Bellson, Ben Aronov, Remo Palmier, Jay Leonhart, Ted Nash, George Young, Joe Roccisano, John Fedchock, Scott Robinson, and Keith O’Quinn. Special guests: Harvie S and Roy Meriwether.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 145 - Titans of the Trumpet
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 6th, 1990 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, Mulgrew Miller, Ray Drummond, Lewis Nash and Barbara Carroll. Special guests: Al Grey and Jay Leonhart.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 146 - Keepers of the Flame
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 6th, 1990 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Jay McShann, Doc Chetham, Kenny Davern, Jackie Williams, and Frank Tate. Special guests: Howard Alden and Richard Carr.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 147 - 18th Anniversary Concert – A Gala Celebration
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 14th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Clark Terry, Bucky Pizzarelli, Gene Bertoncini, Jay Leonhart, Michael Leonhart, and Bill Mays. Special guest: Lewis Nash.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 148 - The Sounds of Swing
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 14th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Buddy Tate, Phil Bodner, Panama Francis, Derek Smith, “Big Nick” Nicholas, and the Roy Gerson Septet with Randy Sandke, Spanky Davis, Joel Helleny, Gary Keller, Michael Hall and Darryl Pellegrini.. Special guests: George Masso and Milt Hinton.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 149 - Salute to Slide Hampton
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 11th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Rufus Reid, Grady Tate, Steve Turre and Lew Tabackin. Special guest: Kenny Burrell.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 150 - Fun with Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 9th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include the NY Society for the Preservation of Illegitimate Music: Eddie Davis, Cynthia Sayer, Simon Wettenhall, Dave Gregor and Ken Peplowski and the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band: George Kelly, Al Casey, Johnny Letman, Candy Ross, Sammy Benskin, John Williams, Johnny Blowers and Laurel Watson. Special guests: Dan Barrett and Sammy Price.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 151 - Monty Alexander’s House Party
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday October 10th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Monty Alexander Trio and Big Band under the direction of Duffy Jackson. Special guest: Lynn Seaton.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 152 - Satch and Bix Revisted
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday November 7th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Arvell Shaw, Byron Stripling, Dennis Wilson, Joey Cavaseno, Bross Townsend, Ray Mosca, Richard Sudhalter, Joe Muranyi, Loren Schoenberg, Dennis MackrelBobby Pring, Frank Vignola, and John Goldsby. Special guest: Keith Ingram.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 153 - The Ultimate Jam Sessions
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday December 12th, 1991 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Flip Phillips, Milt Hinton, Howard Alden, Oliver Jackson, Dan Barrett, Eddie Monteiro, and Nancy Marano. Special guest: John Bunch.
-
Highlights in Jazz Concert 154 - Louie Bellson and the Stars of Swing
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday January 9th, 1992 at 8:00pm in cooperation with Pace University Performing Arts, Dr. Nicholas Catalano- University Director. Jack served as producer and master of ceremonies for the series of concerts. Artists for the concert include Louie Bellson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jay Leonhart, Derek Smith, Kenny Davern, Benny Powell, and Joe Wilder. Special guest: Ted Nash, Jr.