Jazz show's poster

The Gift

Jazz has been called the purest expression of American democracy; a music built on individualism and compromise, independence and cooperation. Ken Burns follows the growth and development of jazz music from the gritty streets of New Orleans to Chicago's south side, the speakeasies of Kansas city and to Times Square.

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

The Gift

Season 1 Episode 2 | 108m 52s | CC

As the Roaring Twenties accelerate, Paul Whiteman, a white bandleader, sells millions of records playing a sweet, symphonic jazz. Louis Armstrong comes to New York, adding his improvisational brilliance to the band's new sound - and soon Armstrong is showing the whole world how to swing.

Related stories

Rocky Mountain PBS
Matt Maes' tendency toward "hyper-focus" led him to a career as an artist and a cozy life as a family man.
 | Elle Naef, Alexis Kikoen
Rocky Mountain PBS
Matt Maes' tendency toward "hyper-focus" led him to a career as an artist and a cozy life as a family man.
 | Elle Naef, Alexis Kikoen
Rocky Mountain PBS
Celebrating synergy between business and the arts
CBCA's 'Business for the Arts Awards' went virtual this year to honor dynamic partnerships from an unprecedented year.
 | Rocky Mountain PBS

Jazz

Watch more episodes

See more
See more
Funding provided by: General Motors;PBS; Park Foundation; CPB; The Pew Charitable Trusts; The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; NEH; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Reva and David Logan Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundations; NEA; Helen and Peter Bing