Video: Interviews, Lectures, Concerts, and Panel Discussions

The Library of Congress regularly hosts jazz events including interviews, lectures, concerts, and panel discussions. There is additional video content being periodically added to the Library's "Event Videos" page.

Featured Video

Larry Appelbaum of the Music Division interviews jazz scholar Ingrid Monson, discussing a wide range of topics including her background, her work at Harvard University, as well as her research and musical interests.

More videos featuring jazz scholar Ingrid Monson:

Interview: Ingrid Monson
Jazz curator Larry Appelbaum interviews Library of Congress Jazz Scholar Ingrid Monson as part of her residency at the Library. They discuss Monson's research, writing, and the jazz collections at the Library of Congress.
Lecture: Ingrid Monson - Miles & Trane as Living Ancestors
Ingrid Monson lectured on Miles Davis and John Coltrane, describing them as "living ancestors" who are at the heart and soul of jazz history. This lecture was presented in commemoration of what would have been the artists' 90th birthdays. Presented in association with the Reva and David Logan Foundation.

A Selection of Jazz-related Videos from the Library of Congress

Concert Videos

Concert: Abdullah Ibrahim, Mukashi Trio
South African jazz composer, pianist, and educator Abdullah Ibrahim concluded his tenure as a Library of Congress Jazz Scholar by performing in concert with his Mukashi Trio. Ibrahim's residency at the Library was made possible by the Reva & David Logan Foundation. Recorded April 21, 2016
Concert: Dafnis Prieto Si O Si Quartet with guest artist, Christian Howes
Concerts from the Library of Congress go on location at the new Atlas Performing Arts Center. Dafnis Prieto Si O Si Quartet with guest artist, Christian Howes. Recorded April 24, 2010
Concert: Etienne Charles: Creole Soul
With his Creole Soul project, trumpeter Etienne Charles explores the musical connections between Afro-Caribbean, Creole, New Orleans and American traditions. Recorded May 29, 2015
Concert: Henry Threadgill's Zooid
A rare Washington appearance from Henry Threadgill, "one of the most important living composers in and around the jazz idiom" (Nate Chinen) and a dazzling alto saxophonist and flutist with masterly improvisational skills. Recorded October 25, 2013
Concert: Justin Kauflin
Justin Kauflin performed a solo piano concert in the Coolidge Auditorium. Works performed include some jazz standards as well as several original compositions. Recorded October 22, 2014
Concert: Lionel Loueke Trio
West African harmonies and jazz rhythms are seamlessly blended by guitarist/singer/composer Lionel Loueke with Massimo Biolcati on bass and Ferenc Nemeth on drums. Recorded December 3, 2010
Concert: The Saiyuki Trio with Rudresh Mahanthappa
"Sound magic" from a trio whose name means "Journey to the West." French jazz guitarist Nguyen Le studied visual arts and philosophy before working with artists like Ornette Coleman, Ray Charles, and Mauricio Kagel. Influences from Jimi Hendrix to the traditional music of Vietnam meld harmonies from East and West to paint an Asia without borders. Recorded February 24, 2012
Concert: Uri Caine Trio
The Uri Caine Trio performs at the Atlas Performing Center in Washington, D.C. Recorded May 22, 2010

Interview Videos

Interview: Aaron Diehl
Aaron Diehl discusses jazz history with James Wintle of the Library of Congress.
Interview: Abdullah Ibrahim & Dan Morgenstern
Abdullah Ibrahim talks with Dan Morgenstern about jazz as part of the Library of Congress Jazz Scholars program.
Interview: Abdullah Ibrahim & Larry Appelbaum
Abdullah Ibrahim talks with Larry Appelbaum about jazz as part of the Library of Congress Jazz Scholars program.
Interview: Allen Toussaint
Prior to a concert by Allen Toussaint and Henry Butler at the Library of Congress, Toussaint sat for an interview with Larry Appelbaum about his hit records, life in the recording studios, the New Orleans piano tradition, Professor Longhair, the challenges of songwriting and producing and the impact of Hurricane Katrina.
Interview: Bob Milne (oral history)
Bob Milne at the Library of Congress an oral history with Larry Appelbaum
Interview: Dafnis Prieto
Host of WPFW's "Sound of Surprise" Larry Appelbaum of the Library of Congress' Music Division, interviews Dafnis Prieto.
Interview: Dave Brubeck
Larry Appelbaum, Senior Music Reference Specialist with the Library of Congress, conducts a conversation with jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck.
Interview: Dianne Reeves
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves discusses her career and interpretations of Ella Fitzgerald's music. This interview was filmed in conjunction with Reeves' concert at the Library, "Dianne Reeves Sings Ella," a commemoration of Ella Fitzgerald's centennial. The Library of Congress holds the Ella Fitzgerald Collection.
Interview: Eddie Daniels & Roger Kellaway
The Library's Larry Appelbaum talks with musicians Eddie Daniels and Roger Kellaway on jazz and the American songbook.
Interview: Fred Hersch
Part of the series "American Creativity: The Composer-Performer," this interview with the composer and pianist Fred Hersch, one of a series of portraits of major jazz figures appearing at the Library of Congress, was presented by the Library's Music Division as a pre-concert presentation. The interviewer is Ben Roe.
Interview: Gretchen Parlato & Gerald Clayton
Larry Appelbaum of the Library's Music Division talks with musicians Gretchen Parlato and Gerald Clayton.
Interview: Guillermo Klein
Argentine pianist and composer Guillermo Klein talks with Library of Congress senior music reference specialist Larry Appelbaum.
Interview: Henry Butler
Pianist, vocalist and composer Henry Butler discusses his life of teaching and performing rhythm and blues and jazz. He performs selected pieces on the piano that were influenced by his native New Orleans. Butler also shares his experience of losing his home from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Interviewing Butler is the Library's Larry Appelbaum.
Interview: Henry Threadgill
Larry Appelbaum interviews composer and multi-instrumentalist Henry Threadgill about his musical upbringing in Chicago, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), the story of his life-changing experience in Vietnam, his groups Air and Zooid, and his approach to composition and improvisation.
Interview: Iola Brubeck
Denise Gallo, Head of Acquisitions and Processing with the Library of Congress Music Division, conducts a conversation with lyricist Iola Brubeck, wife of famed jazz musician Dave Brubeck.
Interview: Jelly Roll Morton in Washington with John Szwed and Stephen Winick
John Szwed and Stephen Winick discuss Jelly Roll Morton and his work in Washington, D.C., including new information about Morton found at the Library of Congress.
Interview: Jim Hall
Jazz guitarist and composer Jim Hall talks about his life in music with Larry Appelbaum, senior music reference specialist in the Library's Music Division.
Interview: John Swed
Larry Appelbaum speaks with jazz scholar and anthropologist John Szwed in a wide-ranging interview about Szwed's background and interests. Their discussion includes topics such as Jelly Roll Morton, Miles Davis, Billie Holiday, Sun Ra, Harry Smith the art of writing biography and film adaptations of biographies, among others.
Interview: José James
The Library's Larry Appelbaum talks with singer and songwriter José James.
Interview: Justin Kauflin
Justin Kauflin spoke with Karen Keninger and John Hanson and answered a variety of questions from the audience about his experience and career before his concert performance in the Coolidge Auditorium.
Interview: Machito Celebration with Mario Grillo
On June 1, 2015, Machito's son, Mario Grillo, donated Machito's handwritten scores and arrangements to the Library of Congress. Grillo discusses his father's contributions to American music.
Interview: Miguel Zenon
Miguel Zenon spoke with Library staffers Larry Appelbaum and Talia Guzman-Gonzalez about his music, his work as an educator and his latest recording "Tipico."
Interview: Ron Carter
Jazz bassist and composer, Ron Carter, is interviewed by senior music reference specialist at the Library of Congress, Larry Appelbaum.
Interview: Uri Caine
Larry Appelbaum interviewed pianist-composer Uri Caine at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Lang Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Lectures and Panel Discussion Videos

Lecture: Dan Morgenstern - Louis & Lil: A Couple Making Musical History
Library of Congress Jazz Scholar Dan Morgenstern lectures on Louis Armstrong and his second wife, Lil Hardin Armstrong. The couple met in King Oliver's band and, individually and together, created an impressive body of music, preserved on records and in the fascinating manuscript deposits held in the Library's collections.
Lecture: Maria Schneider on "Data Lords"
Composer Maria Schneider discusses her Library of Congress commission, "Data Lords," with Larry Appelbaum of the Music Division. "Data Lords," made possible by the Reva and David Logan Foundation, was premiered at the Library by the Maria Schneider Orchestra on April 15, 2016.
Lecture: Maria Schneider on the Creative Process
Jazz artist Maria Schneider discusses her approach to the creative process and her collaboration with David Bowie in an interview with Larry Appelbaum. Recorded in conjunction with the world premiere of Schneider's Library of Congress commission "Data Lords," presented in association with the Reva and David Logan Foundation.
Lecture: Ted Gioia - Love Songs: The Hidden History
Ted Gioia discussed the history of love songs in the human experience, ranging from ancient civilizations to current popular culture.
Panel Discussion: Artists' Rights & the Digital Marketplace
Jazz composer and bandleader Maria Schneider is be joined by singer-songwriter Spree Wilson and music industry veteran John L. Simson for a panel discussion on the linkage between artists' rights and the digital-music marketplace.
Panel Discussion: Blue Note at 75
Library music specialist Larry Appelbaum moderates a panel discussion marking the 75th anniversary of the influential jazz label, Blue Note Records. Panelists include veteran saxophonist Lou Donaldson, producer Michael Cuscuna and pianist Jason Moran.
Panel Discussion: Max Roach Celebration
Library staff and the family of Max Roach came to the Library to celebrate the pioneering jazz drummer, composer, educator and activist. The program included an overview of the recently acquired Max Roach papers and a glimpse at some of its rare treasures. Participating in the event were Roach's wife Janus Adams, his children Daryl, Maxine, Raoul, Dara and Ayo, and poet Sonia Sanchez.
Panel Discussion: Russian-American Jazz Summit Featuring Cyril Moshkow and Larry Appelbaum
The Open World Leadership Center and the Library of Congress Music Division cosponsored the Russian-American Jazz Summit. Conversations on the American influence in Russian Jazz were led by two world-renowned jazz experts, Russian Cyril Moshkow and American Larry Appelbaum. Both of these experts have been involved with Open World Jazz delegations.

Jazz Research at the Library of Congress

Performing Arts Reading Room