Jazz
Episode Four, The True Welcome
DVD - 2004
Amid the hard times of the Depression, new dances, the Lindy Hop and Swing caught on at the dance halls of New York even as the jobless lined the streets and drought ruined Midwest farms. Jazz, during 1929 through 1935, lifted the nation's spirit. Record sales boomed while Armstrong became a major entertainer as singer, trumpeter, band leader, radio and film performer. Ellington's elegance, compositions, brilliant band films and recordings created a huge following in America and abroad. This segment also visits the careers of Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Billy Rose, Chick Webb, Fats Waller, Art Tatum and the record producer, John Hammond.
Publisher:
[United States] : PBS DVD, c2004
Characteristics:
1 videodisc (ca. 120 min.) : sd., b&w and col. ; 4 3/4 in
Additional Contributors:



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Add a CommentExcellent! Ken Burns with great detail and overall sweep of period.
GREAT Episode 4 of Ken Burns' Jazz series. Lots of 30's Depression emphasis in this one, with focus on Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and, a bit later Benny Goodman. Interesting focus on race relations, etc. and how radio broadcast (particularly the 3 hour Saturday night 'Let's Dance') made jazz music generally available. And a few multi-racial ballroom venues made everyone 'welcome'. Loved seeing all that Lindy Hop dancing.
Interesting for me to learn about drummer Chick Webb.
When I try to place a hold on this episode the system says "Hold not allowed." How come?