TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
Ken Burns’ Jazz documentary, first aired on PBS in 2001, is more than a history lesson—it’s a celebration of an American art form. Across its ten episodes, the series traces jazz from its roots in New Orleans to its global influence, weaving together stories of musicians, social change, and cultural innovation.
While Burns highlights legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday, he also uncovers the lesser-known artists whose creativity shaped the music. The series demonstrates how jazz evolved alongside American history through archival footage, interviews, and stunning performances.
It captures the spirit of jazz: improvisation, collaboration, and emotional expression, and reminds us that this music is a living, breathing story of American innovation and creativity.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and South Carolina Public Radio, made possible by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.