Jazz. Episode seven, Dedicated to chaos / a film by Ken Burns ; written by Geoffrey C. Ward ; produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick ; [a production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington D.C. in association with BBC].
Publisher:
PBS,
Copyright Date:
2017
Description:
1 videodisc (approx. 120 min.) : sound, black and white with color sequences ; 4 3/4 in.
Special features: spectacular motion menus; 51 special music information cards; complete performance, Duke Ellington "C-jam blues" (1942, 3 min.). Commentary (in order of appearance): Gary Giddins, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Cobb, Johnny Collins, Albert Murray, Milt Hinton, Stanley Crouch, Artie Shaw, Mercedes Ellington, Joya Sherrill, Jay McShann, Jackie McLean, Arvell Shaw, Dan Morgenstern, George Wein, Stan Levy, Jimmy Rowles, Buck O'Neil, Msgr. John Sanders, Bertrand Tavernier, Dave Brubeck ; narrated by Keith David.
Summary:
When America enters WWII in 1941, swing becomes a symbol of democracy and entertainers like Dave Brubeck, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw take their music to the armed forces overseas. In Nazi-occupied Europe, gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt blends jazz with his own musical traditions. In New York Billie Holiday is unofficial queen despite a growing addiction to narcotics. Duke Ellington, assisted by the gifted young arranger, Billy Strayhorn, brings his music to ever-greater heights. After dark a small underground of gifted young musicians led by the trumpet virtuoso Dizzy Gillespie and saxophonists Charlie Parker and Ben Webster begin to develop a new fast and intricate way of playing, developing a new music called bebop. Meanwhile in 1945, black soldiers return home to the same racism they fought against, and a growing unrest sets the seeds for future rebellions.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.