Our father Mel Levine would have turned 95 today. Remembering him with this syllabus from an adult ed class he taught in 1953 on “The Elements of Jazz.” He led students through the recorded history of the music to that time (post-Bop, pre-Miles?), and included an “oversimplified” history of jazz at the end with this lovely ending
I think Mel would kleib naches from the audience we have found for his photos of Billie Holiday, and I like to think he would be very proud of my own playing and composing work. I certainly think of him all the time when I’m at the piano.
Yehi zichro baruch. May his memory be a (swinging) blessing.
Oren Levine, jazz pianist and songwriter 