Inspired by Les Lieber’s fabled New York Jazz at Noon, Don Linke and Black Box Fund bring you Milwaukee’s version of free lunch time Jazz performances every Monday at noon. With an ever-changing line up of known and not-so-well known jazz artists, these casual and informative sessions are a welcome weekly treat. Normally, these live performances take place in Milwaukee’s Third Ward at the Skylight Music Theatre Bar and Bistro, but during the COVID-19 Safer At Home period, Black Box Fund will be posting podcasts, hosted by Don, with selections from the Jazz at Noon archive of recordings. So, kick back, fix yourself some lunch and tune in to a jazzy musical break!
Andy Blochowiak joins Don Linke on Episode 15 of the Jazz at Noon podcast to discuss how his teaching as a percussion instructor has been affected and modified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former student and now up-and-coming guitarist, Matthew Rotker-Lynn joins the Jazz at Noon Podcast to share his experiences in the “city that never sleeps” as a guitarist prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. He explains the opportunity that this time off from live performances has given him and discusses much more as he reconnects with his former instructor.
In this episode, Don Linke seeks to answer the question, "What is hip?" in the world of jazz.
Back in March, Jazz at Noon and Black Box Fund hosted a release party to celebrate the new Best of Jazz at Noon CD. In this week’s episode, Don Linke takes us through the celebration with the sounds and stylings of those who brought the music from the CD to life. This episode features Gary Williams, Pete Billmann, Victor Campbell, Bill Stone, John Babbitt, Mike Standel and Don Linke.
Avocation is defined as a hobby or activity one does outside of their occupation. And in this case, Don Linke explores some of his musical favorites he personally has enjoyed revamping during his recent “coronavirus vacation.” All selections of this week’s episode are played by Linke himself.
Episode 10 features the works of seven Milwaukee musicians bringing to life the works of Allie Wrubel, Jerome Kern, and the original works of host Don Linke.
Episode nine is a compilation of beautiful piano feature ballads including The Nearness of You by Hoagy Carmichael, My Romance by George Gershwin, A Time for Love by Johnny Mandel, and In a Sentimental Mood by Duke Ellington.
Episode eight features a the bossa nova sounds of Antonio Carlos Jobim, a 1955 classic by Dave Brubeck, and the Brazillian hit Summer Samba by Marcos Valle.
a buoyant mix of three different players on three different instruments and a trio of “jazz standards” – one each from the songbooks of Sonny Rollins and Miles Davis, along with a “soon-to-be jazz standard” from Pat Matheny.
Listen to some funky bass lines from the works of Tad Damron, Cole Porter and Cliff Burwell! Featured Milwaukee bass players are John Babbitt, Mike Britz and John Simmons.
Cool Dreams is all about the interjection of the alto sax. Listen to the works of Nacio Herb Brown, Thelonious Monk, and Wayne Shorter. This week's episode dates back to the origins of Jazz at Noon Milwaukee with recordings from 2018.
This week's episode calls out the funky jazz tunes including 'I Hear a Rhapsody' and 'Moose the Mooche'. Musicians include Rich Kremer, Dave Ruetz, Chris Newlin, Jesse Montijo, Victor Campbell, Ken Kosut, and Don Linke.
Episode 3 of Jazz at Noon features the Grand Guitar played by Pete Billmann, Matthew Rotker-Lynn and Mike Standal. Don Linke is featured on bass and Victor Campbell on drums complete the musical sounds of several classic jazz tunes.
A Piano showcase featuring Ken Kosut, Theo Merriweather and Jim Sodke playing the works of Ray Henderson, Mort Dixon an Dexter Gordon.
Original music from the Don Linke trio featuring Don Linke, Victor Campbell, and Todd Richards.