7.0
American Masters
1986
Jazz is a ten part series that explores the evolution – and the genius – of America’s greatest original art form, focusing on the extraordinary men and women who could do something remarkable – create art on the spot. Jazz celebrates their profoundly enduring, endlessly varied, and infinitely alluring music in the context of the complicated country that gave birth to and influenced it, and was in turn transformed by it.
Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917Jan 9, 2001 · 82m · ★ 6.2"Gumbo" traces the roots of jazz from the 1800s to 1917. The viewer will catch glimpses of Jelly Roll Morton, who erroneously claimed to have invented jazz, and the tragic, though influential, figure of trumpeter Buddy Bolden.
The Gift: 1917-1924Jan 9, 2001 · 109m · ★ 6.1How can one explain the genius of a Louis Armstrong or Duke Ellington? Blessed with skill and talent far exceeding their peers, one can only define what they possess as a gift from the gods. These early portraits are imperative, because both figures have been so canonized that it is easy to forget the significance of their gifts.
Our Language: 1924 -1929Jan 10, 2001 · 107m · ★ 5.8Colorful characters like the tragic Bix Beiderbecke, powerhouse Bessie Smith, and the braggart Jelly Roll Morton, make the study of jazz fascinating. Perhaps most touching in this episode is the extended portrait of the troubled, white cornet player, Bix Beiderbecke, whose family disapproved of his chosen profession, and who would never be allowed to record with greats like Louis Armstrong due to segregation in the music business.
The True Welcome: 1929-1934Jan 15, 2001 · 119m · ★ 5.8"The True Welcome" continues many of the stories begun in Episode 3, following several troubling years for Louis Armstrong (who was arrested for marijuana possession), Duke Ellington’s growth as a composer, and Benny Goodman discovering gold in Fletcher Henderson’s arrangements. "The True Welcome" also has a nice section on rich kid John Hammond, Sr. who would become one of jazz’ biggest promoters
Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937Jan 17, 2001 · 89m · ★ 5.61935 was the year that swing became the most popular music in the country and that the king of swing, Benny Goodman, became a matinee idol. Americans, stifled by the Depression, seemed determined to dance their troubles away. "Swing: Pure Pleasure" follows the continuing careers of Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Armstrong, and the discovery of Billie Holiday.
Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939Jan 22, 2001 · 100m · ★ 5.4Swing would be reacquainted with its blues roots by way of Kansas City, when Count Basie and the Barons of Rhythm brought their hot sound to the Big Apple. Basie would also give Billie Holiday her first break, offering her a chance to travel, perform, drink, and gamble with the rest of the band. Another young singer named Ella Fitzgerald would get her start in Chick Webb’s band at the Savoy Ballroom, and then be named top female vocalist—over Billy Holiday—by Down Beat in 1937.
Jazz is a ten part series that explores the evolution – and the genius – of America’s greatest original art form, focusing on the extraordinary men and women who could do something remarkable – create art on the spot. Jazz celebrates their profoundly enduring, endlessly varied, and infinitely alluring music in the context of the complicated country that gave birth to and influenced it, and was in turn transformed by it.
Keith DavidNarrator (voice)
Louis ArmstrongSelf (archive footage)
Duke EllingtonSelf (archive footage)
Benny Goodman
Artie ShawSelf (archive footage)
Billie HolidaySelf (archive footage)
Glenn MillerSelf (archive footage)
Dave BrubeckSelf (archive footage)
Art TatumSelf (archive footage)
John ColtraneSelf (archive footage)
Art BlakeySelf (archive footage)
Charles MingusSelf (archive footage)
Wynton MarsalisSelf
Miles DavisSelf (archive footage)
Lester YoungSelf (archive footage)
Stanley CrouchSelf
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