Jazz

2001 - 2001

Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917

9th January 2001

Episode 1

"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: 1917-1924

9th January 2001

Episode 2

How 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 -1929

10th January 2001

Episode 3

Colorful 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: 1929-1934

15th January 2001

Episode 4

"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 - 1935-1937

17th January 2001

Episode 5

1935 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 - 1937-1939

22nd January 2001

Episode 6

Swing 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.

Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945

23rd January 2001

Episode 7

"Dedicated to Chaos" finds jazz musicians teetering on the brink of the modern era, fighting against the straightjacket of clichéd, big band arrangements. The revolution started at Minton’s Playhouse, a rundown club where musicians like Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Christian jammed on Monday nights. When they hooked up with a young saxophone player from Kansas City named Charlie Parker, the bop insurgency had arrived.

Risk: 1945-1955

24th January 2001

Episode 8

The bop revolution’s influence would spread to other musicians, but unlike swing, it would never become a popular music. The rapid-fire solos and complicated chord structures made bop a musician’s music, unfit for dancing. Indeed, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie’s music even alienated established musicians like Armstrong. "Risk" provides an in-depth biography of the bright, brief life of Parker, and includes interviews with his former wife.

The Adventure: 1956-1960

29th January 2001

Episode 9

Critics who had believed that Charlie Parker was "too much" musically, could not have welcomed the arrival of Ornette Coleman. Coleman and John Coltrane would edge jazz toward even more freedom, eventually dropping all traditional structures. While these artists alienated many listeners, Miles Davis would record the most popular jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue.

A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present

31st January 2001

Episode 10

Obviously Ken Burns knows that he can’t fit the last thirty-nine years of jazz history onto two hours of video tape, so from the outset, that shouldn’t be expected. There’s an excellent biography of John Coltrane, and footage of Miles Davis’ wonderful mid-‘60s quintet. There is also a nice, small section on the magnificent Charles Mingus.

Top Cast

Keith David•Sidney Bechet•Louis Armstrong

Writer

Geoffrey C. Ward

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.

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Full Cast

Keith David Image

Keith David

Narrator (voice)

Sidney Bechet

Self (archive footage)

Louis Armstrong Image

Louis Armstrong

Self (archive footage)

Duke Ellington Image

Duke Ellington

Self (archive footage)

Benny Goodman Image

Benny Goodman

Self (archive footage)

Artie Shaw Image

Artie Shaw

Self (archive footage)

Billie Holiday Image

Billie Holiday

Self (archive footage)

Glenn Miller Image

Glenn Miller

Self (archive footage)

Dave Brubeck Image

Dave Brubeck

Self (archive footage)

Art Tatum Image

Art Tatum

Self (archive footage)

John Coltrane Image

John Coltrane

Self (archive footage)

Art Blakey Image

Art Blakey

Self (archive footage)

Charles Mingus Image

Charles Mingus

Self (archive footage)

Wynton Marsalis Image

Wynton Marsalis

Self

Miles Davis Image

Miles Davis

Self (archive footage)

Lester Young Image

Lester Young

Self (archive footage)

Stanley Crouch Image

Stanley Crouch

Self

Full Crew

Lynn Novick Image

Lynn Novick

Producer

Ken Burns Image

Ken Burns

Producer

Geoffrey C. Ward

Writer

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