The Songs and Recordings of Paul Simon - A Seminar with Jeff Levenson

This seminar examines the written and recorded work of Paul Simon, acclaimed as a master pop tunesmith and recording artist. To many, his work both projected and reflected the zeitgeist of New York-themed culture during the second half of the last century. Special emphasis is given to the multitude of musical influences shaping his work, and his role in the expansion of the Great American Songbook.

We will examine selected compositions and recordings – their inspiration, construction and historical place within the soundscape of modern pop music.

About Jeff Levenson

Jeff Levenson is a label executive, writer-producer, consultant and jazz columnist. His affiliations, past and present, include posts at Half Note, Sony, Warner Bros, Downbeat, Billboard and the Blue Note jazz club in New York. He currently produces the annual Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington DC, and has authored and/or produced events for the NEA, the US State Department, the White House, the New School for Social Research and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. His collaborations include projects with McCoy Tyner, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, Conrad Herwig, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Esperanza Spalding and Bill Frisell, with production and/or supervision credits on 13 Grammy albums - 2 winners, 11 nominees. Levenson has served the Blue Note management team, advising on club programming and international development. He recruits North American representatives for Jazzahead in Germany. He contributes a column, Ears New York, to JazzFM91 in Toronto, chairs the National Jazz Committee for the Grammys, administers grants and awards as Recording Academy Trustee, and enjoys the company of musicians.