82 min

S1 · E1 · Jan 9, 2001

Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917 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.

7.7 · You

109 min

S1 · E2 · Jan 9, 2001

The Gift: 1917-1924 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.

7.6 · You

107 min

S1 · E3 · Jan 10, 2001

Our Language: 1924 -1929 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.

7.5 · You

119 min

S1 · E4 · Jan 15, 2001

The True Welcome: 1929-1934 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

7.4 · You

89 min

S1 · E5 · Jan 17, 2001

Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937 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.

7.3 · You

100 min

S1 · E6 · Jan 22, 2001

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939 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.

7.3 · You

113 min

S1 · E7 · Jan 23, 2001

Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945 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.

7.3 · You

119 min

S1 · E8 · Jan 24, 2001

Risk: 1945-1955 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.

7.4 · You

115 min

S1 · E9 · Jan 29, 2001

The Adventure: 1956-1960 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.

7.4 · You

109 min

S1 · E10 · Jan 31, 2001

A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present 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.

7.1 · You

Jazz

Season 1

Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917 Episode 1

The Gift: 1917-1924 Episode 2

Our Language: 1924 -1929 Episode 3

The True Welcome: 1929-1934 Episode 4

Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937 Episode 5

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939 Episode 6

Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945 Episode 7

Risk: 1945-1955 Episode 8

The Adventure: 1956-1960 Episode 9

A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present Episode 10

Cast

If you liked Jazz

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Track it on Wubly

Jazz

Season 1

Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917 Episode 1

The Gift: 1917-1924 Episode 2

Our Language: 1924 -1929 Episode 3

The True Welcome: 1929-1934 Episode 4

Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-1937 Episode 5

Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-1939 Episode 6

Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945 Episode 7

Risk: 1945-1955 Episode 8

The Adventure: 1956-1960 Episode 9

A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present Episode 10

Cast

Crew 2 people Show

Details Dates · production Show

If you liked Jazz