Take a trip beginning with the Bebop era at the end of the swing era to Soul Jazz in the early 1970's. We will examine the pioneers and principal exponents of the sub-genres along with musical examples, and discuss what made them different and how they morphed into the following eras. I plan to touch a bit on theory (a tiny bit) and play examples by the central figures of each type of music and note the similarities and differences between the music types. My goal is to shine a light on the musical innovators of each era and highlight some of the music that defined each sub-genre.

Peter Levine is currently the host of Thursday Morning Jazz on WWUH FM in West Hartford, CT, where he is also the station’s Program Director. He is also the host of Jazz Straight Up on WAPJ FM in Torrington, CT, producing a total of five hours weekly of jazz programming. His radio “career” started in 1966, first at Georgia State College and then at Georgia Tech where its station was in its building stage.

He started drum lessons at age 12, had Rock bands in college, playing in the southeast. While in college, Peter joined Musicians Local 802 in NYC which led to playing mostly “society” gigs in the New York area, as well as two summers performing in the Catskills.

His love for this music came from his dad who would encourage him to listen to his collection of 78’s and would take his 13-year-old son to jazz performances in Atlanta. Peter has been collecting records ever since and is always eager to share his passion for this truly American and amazing art form.

Besides his radio activities, he is currently trying to learn to play the vibraphone.

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