The Jazz Loft Radio Series
All 10 episodes are now available on-demand.
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Episode 1: Introduction
While W. Eugene Smith lived in a rundown loft in Manhattan’s Flower District, he recorded audio tape compulsively. More than two decades after his death, those tapes finally resurfaced. Oct 30, 2015
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Episode 2: Enter W. Eugene Smith
Before W. Eugene Smith lived in the thick of New York’s jazz scene, he was a famous photographer for LIFE magazine. What compelled him to leave that life behind? Oct 29, 2015
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Episode 3: The Tapes
In this episode, hear samples of the spontaneous bursts of musical collaboration that were preserved, and kept in remarkable quality, on Smith's tape recordings. Oct 28, 2015
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Episode 4: Hall Overton
By day, Hall Overton was an instructor of classical music at Juilliard. By night, he was living, teaching, and playing jazz piano at the Jazz Loft. Oct 27, 2015
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Episode 5: Before the Loft
Like many of New York City's most influential artists, most of the prominent jazz musicians of the 1950s came from someplace else. This is the story of how the Jazz Loft came to be. Oct 26, 2015
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Episode 6: Drummer Ron Free
Ron Free was the the Jazz Loft’s "house drummer" from 1958 to 1960, before his struggles with addiction forced him out. His musical legacy, though, remains intact on Smith's tapes. Oct 25, 2015
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Episode 7: Flowers at 6 AM
As each all-night jam session at the loft came to a close, musicians stumbled out into the fragrant air of the surrounding flower shops. Oct 24, 2015
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Episode 8: Monk at Town Hall
In early 1959, a genuine stir was created in the loft -- even among the more seasoned jazz players -- when Thelonious Monk turned up to rehearse. Oct 23, 2015
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Episode 9: More Tapes
In this episode, hear immersive samples of Chick Corea and other musicians from the all-night jam sessions that made the Jazz Loft such a unique space. Oct 22, 2015
