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 155 - 19th Gala Anniversary
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 6th, 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 Doc Cheatham, Sol Yaged, Marty Napoleon, Chuck Folds, Jack Lesberg, Oliver Jackson, Jon Seiger and Warren Chiasson. Special guest: Chuck Wayne.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 156 - Billy Taylor and Friends
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 5th, 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 Billy Taylor, Buddy DeFranco, Frank Wess, Jon Faddis, Victor Gaskin, and Bobby Thomas. Special guests: Candido and Ryan Kisor.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 157 - Salute to Al Grey
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 2nd, 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 Clark Terry, Red Rodney, Junior Mance, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Cindy Blackman, Joe Cohn, Steve Novacel, Mike Grey, Al Grey, and Curtis Hasselbring. Special guest: Dennis Wilson.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 158 - Steve Allen’s Jazz Party
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 7th, 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 Steve Allen, Bobby Rosengarden, Jay Leonhart and Tony Monte. Special guest: Cecil Bridgewater.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 159 - Women of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 8th, 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 Chris Connor, Dorothy Donegan, Bob Kaye, Scott Lee, Vinnie Johnson, Ray Mosca, Jon Burr and Andy Fusco. Special guest: Billy Taylor.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 160 - Doc Cheatham Meets Jon Faddis
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 5th, 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 Doc Chetham, Jon Faddis, Chuck Folds, Bucky Calabrese, Jackie Williams, Peter Bernstein, Ari Roland Torsten Zwingenberger. Special guest: Dontae Winslow.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 161 - Jazz Guitar Glory
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 10th, 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 Herb Ellis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ray Drummond, Buster Brown, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Special guest: Michael Weiss. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 162 - BeBop Spoken Here Again
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 7th, 1993 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 James Moody, Red Rodney, Christopher Hollyday, Steve Kuhn, Billy Drummond, and Dave Finck. Special guest: Ray Anderson. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 163 - 20th Anniversary Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 11th, 1993 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 Count Basie Orchestra directed by Frank Foster. Special guest: Dennis Wilson. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 164 - Many Faces of Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 11th, 1993 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 Mose Allison, Kenny Davern, John Bunch, Greg Cohn, Tony DiNicola, Ray Barretto, Ray Vega, Jairo Moreno, Satoshi Takiashi, Jay Rodriguez, and Hector Martignon. Special guest: Doug Weiss. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 165 - Dick Hyman Plays Gershwin and Ellington
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 8th, 1993 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 Dick Hyman, Milt Hinton, Phil Bodner, and Warren Vache. Special guest: Rob Traxler. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 166 - Salute to Panama Francis
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday May 13th, 1993 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 Bross Townsend, Bob Cunningham, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, and Carrie Smith. Special guest: Benny Waters. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 167 - Trombones to Glory
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, September 30th, 1993 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 Al Grey, Slide Hampton, George Masso, Derek Smith, Harvie Swartz, and Akira Tana. Special guests: Joe Cohn and Stafford Hunter. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 168 - A Living Legend, Cab Calloway
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 4th, 1993 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 Cab Calloway and The Manhattan School of Music Jazz Ensemble directed by Justin DiCioccio. Special guest: Joe Temperley. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 169 - Big Band Bellson
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 16th, 1993 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, Derek Smith, Harvie Swartz, Ted Nash, Steve Wilson, Keith O’Quinn, Joe Roccisano, Marvin Stamm, Glenn Drewes, and Scott Robinson. Special guest: Red Richards. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 170 - King of Swing Revisited
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 13th, 1994 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 DeFranco, Terry Gibbs, Milt Hinton, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Cohn, Roy Gerson, and Jerry Gibbs. Special guest: Daryl Sherman. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 171 - 21st Anniversary Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 10th, 1994 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 Bobby Short, Howard Alden, Dan Barrett, Chuck Wilson, Frank Tate, and Jackie Williams. Special guest: Ken Peplowski. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 172 - Inspired Encounter
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 10th, 1994 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 Billy Taylor, Gerry Mulligan, Chip Jackson, and Steve Johns. Special guest: Grady Tate. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 173 - Latin Jazz Explosion
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 7th, 1994 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 Tito Puente and his Latin Jazz Ensemble and Phil Woods. Special guest: Jim McNeely. The scrapbook contains clippings and photographs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 174 - Salute to Clark Terry
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 5th, 1994 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, David “Fathead” Newman, Bucky Pizzarelli, Don Friedman, Marcus McLaurine, Frank Wess, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff, and Al Harewood. Special guests: Joey Cavaseno and James Williams.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 175 - The Art of Swinging
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 6th, 1994 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, Dick Hyman, and Ray Mosca. Special guest: Gene Bertoncini.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 176 - Still Going Strong
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 3rd, 1994 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 Doc Cheatham, Chuck Folds, Bucky Calabrese, and Jackie Williams. Special guests: Benny Waters, Marty Napoleon, and Al Grey.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 177 - McPartland Music
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 15th, 1994 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 Marian McPartland, Frank Tate, Eddie Locke, Bobby Pring, Dick Sudhalter, Warren Vache and Ken Peplowski. Special guest: Joe Muranyi.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 178 - Dizzy’s Disciples
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 12th, 1995 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 Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Vincent Herring, Jackie Paris, Renee Rosnes, Charlie Persip, and Ray Drummond. Special guests: Tanya Darby and Armen Donellian.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 179 - 22nd Anniversary Concert
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 9th, 1995 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 Lionel Hampton and his Orchestra. Special guest: Mike Grey.