In the early to mid 1960s, the cultural scene is changing in NY, as is the city itself. (Originally aired November 25, 2009)
Dave Young (who first ‘renovated’ the Loft and made it habitable) leaves the lost in ‘60; Smith takes over more floors but is evicted in ‘71. Overton dies in ‘72. Jazz is under increasing pressure from the commercial marketplace that prefers rock ‘n’ roll. Changing neighborhoods, politics and economy mean big changes for jazz, too, including the emergence of Free Jazz. The Loft scene is replaced by a very different community culture scene in Harlem and elsewhere. With Paul Bley, Brookmeyer, Hall, Charles, Moore, Early, Kelley, Stephenson, Swallow, author Sharon Zukin, others.
The Jazz Loft Project Radio Series was supported in part by a grant from The National Endowment for the Humanities; and by an award from The National Endowment for the Arts.
Comments [5]
I listened to this series while studying for a theology exam, and it became a sort of sanctuary. Thanks (an understatement, unfortunately) to Sara Fishko and the entire team for creating a radio project the likes of which I last heard as a teenager in Belgium 35 to 40 years ago. This has truly been a blessed and deeply moving listening experience.
QUESTION: When will a DVD of the series be available? Would be nice to include with the book for a Christmas present. Marvelous series.
Thank you for an interesting and informative series and congratulations on a job well done. I totally agree with the person who acknowledged the fact that the comments of the loft regulars are invaluable. Looking forward to watching this project unfold as the information becomes available.
An outstanding series; Sara Fishko and the entire production crew are to be congratulated. While I'm interested in hearing the music tapes themselves (and some of them are available for listening on the Jazz Loft Project website, for those who don't know that already), I feel the comments of those loft regulars who are fortunately still with us are the most valuable component of this project. Those who complain in their comments that the spoken reminiscences and the narration get in the way of their enjoyment of the music - well, they just don't get it, I'm afraid.
Thank you so much - one and all. Having attended Columbia Graduate School in the early 1960 I had the good fortune of seeing some of these great talents in person. This series brings the experience to life again.
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