Events & Classes > Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form
Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form
Printable Looking At: Jazz, America's Art Form flyer (pdf)
As the story of jazz unfolds, so unfolds the drama of modern American history against the backdrop of migration, industrial change, two world wars, economic depression, civil rights activism, political upheavals and social change.
Learn about the cultural and social history of jazz as it developed as an art form in the United States. This film viewing and discussion series looks at the roots of jazz music as well as the social and political influences of key figures and performances.
Local teacher and writer Lynn Darroch will serve as discussion leader for the series.
North Portland Library
- 512 N. Killingsworth St.
- 503.988.5394
Saturday, February 10, 3–5 p.m.
- New Orleans and the Origins of Jazz
- Ken Burns' Jazz, Episode 1
- One of the 19th century's most progressive cities, New Orleans was filled with gambling, prostitution, crime and music. Ken Burns uses historical fact and personal accounts to illuminate the story of jazz and introduce viewers to such legendary innovators of the music as Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton.
Sunday, February 11, 3–5 p.m.
- The Jazz Age and Harlem as a Center for Jazz
- Harlem Renaissance: The Music & Rhythms That Started a Cultural Revolution
Ken Burns' Jazz, Episode 2 - This documentary looks at the Harlem Renaissance through the music that defined the era, its social impact on society and its eventual acceptance in mainstream culture. Includes full song performances by Fats Waller, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Dorothy Dandridge, Mills Brothers, Tiny Grimes, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Sidney Bechet, Nat King Cole and others.
Wednesday, February 14, 6–7:30 p.m.
- The Jazz Vocalists
- Lady Day: The Many Faces of Billie Holiday
- Billie Holiday is recognized as one of the greatest blues and jazz vocalists of all time. This program tells her story and includes many of her signature tunes such as "St. Louis Blues" and "My Man." Featured are rare TV and movie clips, along with commentary by jazz instrumentalists and singers who knew her well.
Wednesday, February 21, 6–7:30 p.m.
- The Swing Era
- Benny Goodman: Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
- This comprehensive documentary covers Benny Goodman's career as he rose to become one of the country's cultural icons. This biography includes rare, never-before-seen performance footage from the '20s and '30s, studio rehearsal footage from the '50s, home movies, rare audio tracks, and video footage of Goodman recounting his own life.
Wednesday, February 28, 6–7:30 p.m.
- Jazz Innovators: From Bebop to Hard Bop to Cool and More
- Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
- Through film clips, stills and interviews with family members, this documentary follows the bebop icon Charlie Parker from his native Kansas City, Kansas, through his apprenticeship with band leaders Jay McShann and Bennie Moten, and on to New York. It includes a TV appearance with Dizzy Gillespie and rare footage with jazz greats, including Billy Eckstine, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong, among others.
Wednesday, March 7, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Latin Jazz and Jazz as an International Music
- A Night in Havana: Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba
- Dizzy Gillespie is one of the most recognizable and popular figures in jazz history. This documentary follows the trumpet great during a musical tour of Cuba, where he visits music and dance festivals and smokes cigars with Fidel Castro. In concert footage, he plays "A Night in Tunisia" and "Cubana Bop," among other favorites.
Space at programs is limited. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Looking At: Jazz is a project of Re:New Media in collaboration with the American Library Association and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Major funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations express in this program do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
