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Jazz

Jazz

This series explores the history of the major American musical form. We track its development in African American culture, its rise to prominence with its golden age of popularity spanning from the 1920's to the mid 1940's both in its original form and in Swing through its popular decline and the rise of vital new sub-genres into the present day. Along the way, we learn of the lives and work of major contributors to the form such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Charlie "Bird" Parker and many others who helped form Jazz into the vibrant musical form it is. Moreover, we see how the music reflected the political and social issues of the African American community over the course of the form's history.

Genres: Music, History

Premiered: 2001-01-09

Runtime: 115 mins

Status: Ended

Rating: N/A/10

Network: PBS

Episode Guide

Season 1

  • Episode 1: Gumbo, Beginnings to 1917
    Aired: Jan 9, 2001

    1 - "Gumbo" - (beginnings To 1917) - Blues, Louisiana Creole music, minstrel shows, New Orleans jazz, Original Dixieland Jass Band, ragtime - Personalities: Sidney Bechet, Buddy Bolden, Freddie Keppard, Jelly Roll Morton, James Reese Europe, Nick LaRocca

  • Episode 2: The Gift, 1917 - 1924
    Aired: Jan 9, 2001

    2 - "The Gift" - (1917–1924) - Chicago jazz, Harlem Renaissance, New Orleans jazz, World War - Personalities: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, James Reese Europe, Fletcher Henderson, James P. Johnson, King Oliver, Willie Smith, Paul Whiteman

  • Episode 3: Our Language, 1924 - 1929
    Aired: Jan 10, 2001

    3 - "Our Language" - (1924–1928) - Cotton Club, Harlem Renaissance, Savoy Ballroom - Personalities: Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Artie Shaw, Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters

  • Episode 4: The True Welcome, 1929 - 1935
    Aired: Jan 15, 2001

    4 - "The True Welcome" - (1929–1935) - Great Depression, Lindy hop, swing music - Personalities: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, John Hammond, Fletcher Henderson, Billy Rose, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Chick Webb

  • Episode 5: Swing: Pure Pleasure, 1935 - 1937
    Aired: Jan 17, 2001

    5 - "Swing: Pure Pleasure" - (1935–1937) - Discrimination in public accommodations, Great Depression, Savoy Ballroom, swing music - Personalities: Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Jimmie Lunceford, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Chick Webb, Teddy Wilson

  • Episode 6: Swing: The Velocity of Celebration, 1937 - 1939
    Aired: Jan 22, 2001

    No summary available.

  • Episode 7: Dedicated to Chaos, 1943 - 1945
    Aired: Jan 23, 2001

    No summary available.

  • Episode 8: Risk, 1945 - 1949
    Aired: Jan 24, 2001

    No summary available.

  • Episode 9: The Adventure, 1956 - 1960
    Aired: Jan 29, 2001

    No summary available.

  • Episode 10: A Masterpiece by Midnight, 1960 to the Present
    Aired: Jan 31, 2001

    No summary available.