Keith David
Narrator (voice)
Series
Watch Jazz (2001) Online
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Synopsis
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.
Episodes
Miniseries
PreviousNext
1. Gumbo: Beginnings to 1917Now viewing2001-01-091h 22m6.2"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.
2. The Gift: 1917-19242001-01-091h 49m6.1How 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.
3. Our Language: 1924 -19292001-01-101h 47m5.8Colorful 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.
4. The True Welcome: 1929-19342001-01-151h 59m5.8"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
5. Swing: Pure Pleasure - 1935-19372001-01-171h 29m5.61935 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.
6. Swing: The Velocity of Celebration - 1937-19392001-01-221h 40m5.4Swing 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.
7. Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-19452001-01-231h 53m5.6"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.
8. Risk: 1945-19552001-01-241h 59m5.6The 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.
9. The Adventure: 1956-19602001-01-291h 55m5.9Critics 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.
10. A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present2001-01-311h 49m5.6Obviously 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.
Cast
Top Billed Cast
No photo Sidney Bechet
Self (archive footage)
Louis Armstrong
Self (archive footage)
Duke Ellington
Self (archive footage)
Benny Goodman
Self (archive footage)
Artie Shaw
Self (archive footage)
Billie Holiday
Self (archive footage)
Glenn Miller
Self (archive footage)
Dave Brubeck
Self (archive footage)
Art Tatum
Self (archive footage)
John Coltrane
Self (archive footage)
Art Blakey
Self (archive footage)
Charles Mingus
Self (archive footage)
Wynton Marsalis
Self
Miles Davis
Self (archive footage)
Lester Young
Self (archive footage)
Stanley Crouch
Self
Availability
Where To Watch Legally
PBS Documentaries Amazon Channel
Thirteen
WETA+
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
Fandango At HomeStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jazz available to watch online?
Yes - see the "Where to watch legally" section on this page for streaming, rental and purchase options.
How many seasons does Jazz have?
Jazz has 1 season and 10 episodes.
When did Jazz first air?
Jazz first aired in 2001.
Is Jazz still running?
Jazz's status on TMDB is: Ended.
What genre is Jazz?
Jazz is classified as Documentary.