Jazz
Overview
This ten-part series delves into the development and brilliance of jazz, America’s most iconic art form, spotlighting the remarkable individuals who possess the unique ability to craft music spontaneously. It honors the deeply impactful, richly diverse, and endlessly captivating sounds of jazz while examining the complex nation that birthed and shaped this genre, which, in turn, transformed the country itself.
Episodes
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1
Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917
"Gumbo" explores the origins of jazz from the 1800s to 1917. Audiences will encounter Jelly Roll Morton, who mistakenly asserted that he was the creat...
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2
The Gift: 1917-1924
How can we truly capture the brilliance of Louis Armstrong or Duke Ellington? With abilities and artistry that surpass those of their contemporaries, ...
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3
Our Language: 1924 -1929
This episode brings to life vibrant figures such as the sorrowful Bix Beiderbecke, the dynamic Bessie Smith, and the boastful Jelly Roll Morton, makin...
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4
The True Welcome: 1929-1934
In "The True Welcome," the narrative picks up on various storylines introduced in Episode 3, delving into the challenging years faced by Louis Armstro...
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5
Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937
In 1935, swing music captured the hearts of the nation, with Benny Goodman rising to fame as the king of swing and a beloved matinee idol. Amid the st...
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6
Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939
Swing music would reconnect with its blues origins in Kansas City, as Count Basie and the Barons of Rhythm introduced their lively sound to New York C...
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7
Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945
In "Dedicated to Chaos," jazz artists grapple with the constraints of outdated big band styles as they stand on the edge of a new musical era. This mo...
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8
Risk: 1945-1955
The impact of the bop revolution reached various musicians, yet it never attained the widespread popularity of swing. With its fast-paced solos and in...
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9
The Adventure: 1956-1960
Those who thought Charlie Parker was pushing musical boundaries would find Ornette Coleman even more radical. Alongside John Coltrane, Coleman would t...
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10
A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present
Ken Burns clearly understands that condensing thirty-nine years of jazz history into just two hours of video is unrealistic, so viewers shouldn’t an...
