Research > Guides > American Music Traditions: African American Music
American Music Traditions:
African American Music: DVDs and Videos
A selection from Multnomah County Library; check the library catalog for more.
-
A collaboration between the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Experience Music Project, Palm Pictures and Ginger Group Productions. Features historic and documentary footage of 20th century pioneering artists.
-
Interviews and performances by B.B. King, guitar and vocals; Sonny Freeman, drums; James Toney, organ; Mose Thomas, trumpet; and Lee Gatling, saxophone, May 9, 1968.
-
A seven-part television series of personal and impressionistic films, viewed through the lens of seven world-famous directors, capturing the essence of blues music and delving into its global influence, from its roots in Africa to its inspirational role in today's music.
-
In film clips, photos, and interviews, Parker's life is traced from Kansas City to the New York jazz scene of the 1950's.
-
Interview and performance of Count Basie dated May 6, 1966.
-
Gospel: Rhythm of the Heart traces the history of this resilient genre from the 'Father of Gospel' Thomas A. Dorsey and the legendary Mahalia Jackson to the stars of today.
-
A documentary about a photograph taken in 1958 by Art Kane of the jazz greats of the period. Includes home movie footage of the jazz musicians arriving and greeting each other the morning of the shoot. Also includes conversations with musicians and archival performance footage.
-
Portrays the history of the Jubilee Singers, who started as an ex-slave choir singing spirituals on fundraising tours to keep Fisk University from folding. Includes recreations of their historic performances and draws on letters, photographs, and diaries to portray their early years.
-
Features rare TV and movie clips, along with commentary by a stellar group of jazz instrumentalists and singers who knew Billie Holiday well.
-
Biographical video of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, featuring the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Brother John Sellers and historian Studs Terkel.
-
A definitive look at the man and his music, interweaving rare interviews with Miles and insights and memories of his family, friends, and many of the great musicians who played with him during his long career.
-
Filmed at the peak of his career, this serves as perhaps the most revealing and intimate portrait of the artist ever recorded. Gives an unobtrusive look inside the colorful and transient world of the American Jazz legend, exposing the key elements that characterize and define him.
-
Wynton Marsalis, host & trumpet ; Eric Reed, piano ; Mark Inouye, cornet ; Liberty Brass Band ; Tanglewood Music Center Wind Band ; Seiji Ozawa, conductor. A film for children, but good for all ages. Uses music by Sousa, Joplin, and Armstrong to explain the development of Sousa's European-style orchestra into the American jazz band.
-
On August 20, 1972, more than 100,000 people attended what came to be known as 'the Black Woodstock. Wattstax documents this historic event and includes the once-lost original ending. Special features: audio and video commentaries by Rap Activist/Musicologist Chuck D and music historian Rob Bowman; audio commentary by Isaac Hayes, director, executive producer and others; Rolling Down a Mountain: Isaac Hayes performs the original 1973 versions finale; complete Albert King performance of I'll Play the Blues For You; original 1973 and special edition 2003 trailers.
Questions about music? AskUs! Send an email reference question to our staff any time 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or contact us during library hours.