Results for "Hank Levy"

Musician

Hank Levy

Born: September 27, 1927

ABOUT HANK LEVY Hank came of age in the 1940s, when big bands crisscrossed the country playing one-nighters, and when people in Baltimore and other cities regularly went out dancing in nightclubs and ballrooms. There were many excellent bands in the area staffed by musicians in the armed forces and musicians and ideas circulated freely among these groups. Levy was part of this milieu (he attended the Navy School of Music during his three-year hitch) and took full advantage of it in his later career as a teacher, composer, and bandleader. A Baltimore native, Hank graduated from Baltimore City College, where he led his first band, then attended several colleges, including an unhappy year at the Peabody Conservatory

Video

Whiplash

Featuring the music of Hank Levy
Duration: 05:18
November 29, 2026

Whiplash is as thrilling and tension-filled as any full-length jazz movie you may encounter. It’s written around the big band tune by Hank Levy. The premise is that an egotistical, latent-psychotic conservatory band conductor focuses his jealousy on his ensemble, especially a talented drummer, until their collective relationship falls apart. The combined talents of well-known actor J.K. Simmons as the conductor, Miles Teller as the young drummer and writer/director Damien Chazelle make the relationships compelling enough to prompt the audience to ask: “what if this has happened to my school jazz band?” Spoiler alert: this video clip is an iconic scene – the conductor has a question about keeping time. It’s a must-see movie and clip, but if you’re pressed for time start at 0:49.

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Confusion Project, SongAh Chae Trio, Bignami Veltri Jazz Ensemble & More

by Marek J. Śmietański
September 30, 2026

The 130th episode surveys July 2026 releases and two summer catch-ups--as usual--arranged into six sets. The programme opens with personal tributes and hard bop rooted in mentorship, moves through a Polish bloc spanning contemporary folk-inflected jazz, archived jazz-rock and international improvisation, then pushes into veteran free jazz and cosmic funk. Furthermore, there is a nu-jazz set ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Freyja Garbett, Little North, Lakecia Bejamin, The Vampires & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
July 28, 2026

The 129th episode presents the second part of the June 2026 premiere survey, once again structured into six thematic sets. The programme journeys from percussion-driven ritual and free improvisation through melody-centred chamber jazz, psychedelic grooves and rhythm-based explorations, to spiritually charged playing and acoustic small groups deeply rooted in tradition--closing with an evocative archival epilogue that ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Reis Demuth Wiltgen, Helen Sung Big Band, TENTNO & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
July 22, 2026

The 128th episode launches the first part of our June 2026 premiere survey, presenting selections arranged into six distinct thematic sets. The programme traces the full spectrum of contemporary jazz--from melodic, composition-driven quartets and intimate solo projects, through powerful big bands and a striking piano trio with symphony orchestra, to free improvisation, experimental electronics, and open-ended ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Virginia MacDonald, Andre Bachleda, Ben Wolfe, Milena Granci & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
July 2, 2026

The 127th episode is a regular edition dedicated to jazz releases from May 2026. This month's selection showcases the remarkable diversity of today's scene, bringing together established voices and emerging artists from Europe, North America, Australia and beyond. The programme flows through contemporary jazz, improvised music, ambient textures and genre-crossing projects that expand the language of ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Miho Hazama, People In Orbit, Joel Lyssarides, Peter Erskine & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
June 16, 2026

The 126th episode presents a wide selection of April releases, offering a rich and stylistically diverse snapshot of contemporary creative music. Compared to the previous month, the program expands further in terms of genre range and aesthetic approaches, moving fluidly between spacious Nordic-inspired soundscapes, experimental and electronic--inflected improvisation, and more tradition-rooted American jazz idioms. The selection ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Tomasz Chyła Quintet, Alain Métrailler, Skage Larsen, Jon Henriksson and more

by Marek J. Śmietański
June 9, 2026

The 125th episode features music drawn from albums released in March, offering a broad, international perspective on contemporary jazz. The selection brings together three noteworthy debut recordings alongside new material from established artists, creating a thoughtful balance between fresh discovery and refined artistry. Listeners can expect a diverse range of approaches--from lyrical and reflective pieces to ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Isabelle Bodenseh, Pat Bianchi, Mammal Hands, Bellbird & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
May 19, 2026

The 124th episode delivers another regular edition of the show, this time dedicated to February jazz premieres from around the world. The playlist journeys through new sounds and fresh perspectives, showcasing a diverse array of artists and a broad spectrum of musical languages--from intimate, lyrical compositions to bold, innovative explorations. Along the way, we encounter inspiring ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Joel Ross, Jesper Thorn, Naoya Ogura, Alessandro Castriota Scanderbeg & more

by Marek J. Śmietański
April 3, 2026

Episode 123th is a regular edition of the show, though broadcast at an unusual time due to a significant delay. In this episode, we explore January jazz releases from around the world--including the USA, Denmark, Belgium, Japan, Germany, Sweden, and Italy--as well as some rarer international collaborations: Argentine-Swiss, Danish-American, and German-Spanish. Emotional, reflective, lyrical, and at ...