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 207- Doc Cheatham Remembered
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 2nd, 1998 at 8:00 pm 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 David Ostwald, Howard Alden, Ken Peplowski, Randy Sandke, Wycliffe Gordon, Giampaola Biagi, Chuck Folds, Earl May, Jackie Williams, Bill Watrous, and Butch Thompson.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 208- Back by Popular Demand
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 7th, 1998 at 8:00 pm 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, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Cyrus Chestnut, Ray Drummond, Chris Conner, Bob Kay, Scott Lee, Ronnie Zito, Andy Fusco, and surprise guests Mike LeDonne and Winard Harper.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 209- The Great American Songbook
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 8th, 1998 at 8:00 pm 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 McCoy Tyner, Warren Vache, Daryl Sherman, Joe Puma, and surprise guest Murray Wall.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 210- The Art of Swinging
Jack Kleinsinger
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 5th, 1998 at 8:00 pm 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, Derek Smith, James Chirillo, Sean Smith, Kenny Washington, and Dakota Staton.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 211- Ellington & Strayhorn Revisited
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 17th, 1998 at 8:00 pm 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, Byron Stripling, Scott Robinson, and surprise guest Junior Mance.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 212- The Songs Louis & Ella Sang
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 14th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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, Carol Sloane, Billy Mays, Ron Vincent, and Marcus McLaurine.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 213- Highlights in Jazz 26th Anniversary Gala
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 4th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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, Teri Thornton, Cynthia Sayer, and Spanky Davis.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 214- Salute to Kenny Burrell
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 4th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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 Kenny Burrell, Billy Taylor, David 'Fathead' Newman, Jimmy Owens, Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Rufus Reid, and Akira Tana.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 215- Ray Meets Jay
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 8th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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 Leonhart, Ray Brown, Geoff Keezer, Karriem Riggins, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Bill Charlap.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 216- Back By Popular Demand
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 13th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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, Ray Bryant, and Frank Wess.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 217- Inspired Encounter
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 7th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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 Milt Jackson, Slide Hampton, Mickey Roker, Bob Cranshaw, Mike LeDonne, and Valeria Capers.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 218- Salute to Flip
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 11th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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, Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Derek Smith, Pat O'Leary, and Kenny Washington.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 219- Trombone Titans
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 16th, 1999 at 8:00 pm 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, Ray Anderson, Wycliffe Gordon, Bill Charlap, Bobby Durham, Joe Cohn, Matthew Parrish, and special guest Jimmy Slyde.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 220- Blues, Jazz, Spirituals and Other Delights
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 13th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Cyrus Chestnut trio and Kevin Mahogany.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 221- Highlights in Jazz 27th Anniversary Gala
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 27th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Hendricks, Annie Ross, Jay Leonhart, and Judy Barnett.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 222- Roy Haynes Jazz Party
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 9th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Roy Haynes, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Ron Blake, Dwayne Durno, Jane Monheit, Cecil Bridgewater, and Marcus Gilmore.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 223- An Evening of Early Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 6th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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, Carrie Smith, David Ostwald, Wycliffe Gordon, Randy Sadke, Herlin Riley, and Frank Vignola.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 224- We Remember Clifford Brown
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, May 11th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Max Roach, Lew Soloff, Helen Merrill, Teddy Edwards, Mulgrew Miller, George Mraz, and Victor Lewis.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 225- Cabaret Jazz
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, October 5th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Julie Wilson, Herb Gardner, Mark Hummel, Barbara Dreiwitz, Freddy Cole, Curtis Boyd, Jerry Byrd, and surprise guest Young Hooders.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 226- Swing and Bebop Revisited
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, November 9th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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, John Bunch, Rufus Reid, and Gerry Gibbs.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 227- Salute to Bucky
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, December 14th, 2000 at 8:00 pm 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 Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Ken Peplowski, Bernard Purdie, Frank Wess, Frank Vignola, and Marlene Ver Planck.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 228- Trombones for Al Grey
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, January 11th, 2001 at 8:00 pm 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 Wycliffe Gordon, Steve Turre, Ray Anderson, Robin Eubanks, Junior Mance, Eric Reed, Ray Drummond, Alvin Queen, Curtis Hasselbring, Stafford Hunter, Ryan Porter, and Charles Wilson.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 229- Highlights in Jazz 28th Anniversary Gala
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, February 15th, 2001 at 8:00 pm 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, Gerry Mulligan, Terell Stafford, Gary Smulyan, Ted Rosenthal, Dean Johnson, and Ron Vincent.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 230- Jazz Arrangers Workshop
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, March 15th, 2001 at 8:00 pm 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 Bill Holman, Slide Hampton, Tommy Newsom, Sherrie Maricle, and Diva Big Band.
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Highlights in Jazz Concert 231- Jazz/ Latin Jazz/ Klezmer and other delights
Jack Kleinsinger and Danny Gottlieb
Jack Kleinsinger presents Highlights in Jazz. The concert was held at The Pace Downtown Theater, Thursday, April 5th, 2001 at 8:00 pm 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, Dave Glasser, Don Friedman, Marcus McLaurine, Sylvia Cuenca, Ray Baretto, and David Amram.