This episode begins with a long description of just how awful the Depression was as well as its impact on music sales. Despite this, the rest of the film is mostly upbeat in talking about the continued success and acceptance of jazz by mainstream America as well as in Europe. The only negatives were some of the musicians who died young or self-destructed in this episode, such as King Bolden (died penniless and insane), Jellyroll's personality which ended his career as well as Bechet no longer finding much of an audience. In their place were Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington (who Burns goes NUTS for throughout the series) and the emergence of newer talent such as Art Tatum and Benny Goodman--who, for the first time, collaborated with a black man to do the arrangements for his orchestra. Some of the increased popularity of the genre was attributed to a white man, John Hammond, who seemed to work very hard to draw attention to all the great artists regardless of race.
Just like the other episodes, this one is well constructed, has great music and keeps your interest throughout. Well done and well worth seeing.
Just like the other episodes, this one is well constructed, has great music and keeps your interest throughout. Well done and well worth seeing.
