![]() The major theme, of course, is exploring Jazz music although some critics’ feel the documentary isn’t inclusive enough of all who contributed. The documentary does not ignore racial segregation and the way black musicians were treated in America.Īnother theme is the history of the country and the world to some extent. One theme, that also exists in other documentaries, like Civil War and Baseball by Burns, is the ongoing, vitriolic backdrop of race relations and racism in America. There are dozens of parallel themes that weave their way though this documentary. Individual artists are highlighted against the backdrop of their world. The story begins by introducing the environment, politics and culture of the day, then exploring how it all got that way. The real power of Jazz, the innovation of jazz, is that a group of people can come together and create art, improvised art and can negotiate their agendas with each other, and that negotiation is the art.” Other interviews or commentary throughout the documentary by, Albert Murray, Gary Giddens, Stanley Crouch, Gerald Early and others give ongoing narration. It’s an art form that can give us a painless way of understanding ourselves. In the opening minutes of Episode One, musician Wynton Marsalis states, “Jazz music objectifies America. Recognition of documentary as a medium for the writing of history.” –Barnouw “Burns was the first ever elected without having written a book. According to Erik Barnouw, in History of Non-fiction Film, Ken Burns is the only Documentary Filmmaker ever invited to be a member of the Society of American Historians. ![]() His forte is historical documentaries that delve into American culture and life since the Civil War. Ken Burns has created his own documentary niche. Instead he incorporates, often meticulously restored or discovered, archival photographs, film and documents, to create a narrative structure. Ken Burn’s documentaries do not recreate events using actors. This documentary will either introduce you to Jazz or increase your appreciation and enjoyment of this music.ĭocumentary films come in many forms, evolving from the simple recording and editing of events to hybrid styles that incorporate fictional recreations of events. Jazz - “It is a creation of the African-American community there, but incorporates all kind of music heard in the streets of what was the country’s most cosmopolitan city.” Jazz soon moves out of New Orleans and becomes a national passion. The history of Jazz, it turns out, is born out of circumstances uniquely American, to a large extent, in New Orleans of the 1890’s. Jazz, the documentary, fits the evolution of Jazz music in with American culture, Black History, people and politics of the United States. Burns puts the facts into historical and social context. Like most of his work the series transcends being solely a factual historical record. Jazz is one of Ken Burns’ best documentary films.
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