Ken Burns' Jazz

Pros: recordings, pictures, subject, care, structure

Cons: need to watch it over a period of time to not be overwhelmed

The Bottom Line: Everyone will learn something about jazz music and the history of this country in the 20th century in the beautifully made documentary.

Review: Ken Burns has become the leading maker of documentaries in this country in the last twenty years. After viewing his series on Baseball, I knew by a quote at the beginning of that documentary that he would turn his head ...

Pros: A thorough examination of the American art form: jazz

Cons: A little too much emphasis on early jazz

The Bottom Line: Beautiful music, beautiful photos and beautiful people fill this 19 hour masterpiece of a show.

Review: I wrote a preview to this show based on what little a could find in my local paper and my knowledge of Burn's too previous works: The Civil War and Baseball. These were works of art based on love.

Burns does it again with "Jazz". I am a 54...

Pros: Excellent editing, narration, interviews, historical photos and music.

Cons: Impossible to cover all great musicians, even in 19 hours.

The Bottom Line: Wonderful historical account of Jazz in America for beginners, and long time collectors.

Review: Ken Burns' Jazz 10-part documentary, currently airing on PBS stations nationwide, has kept me glued to my seat for the each of the entire 2- to 1 1/2-hour episodes. As a jazz collector since I was 15 years old (nearly 30 years), I recommend the series...

Pros: A true American Musical Art Form;

Cons: Some great names are not mentioned

The Bottom Line: A 10-episode series that anybody who is serious about their American heritage should watch. You'll get a full packet..

Review: History can be boring for some, but Ken Burns's brilliance helps illuminate the dark, past times of the history of the United States of America. In what he terms the American Trilogy, Ken Burns deals with moments and historic themes that most...

Pros: An excellent timeline of America's first original music!

Cons: Focuses on certain individuals while only touching on others.

The Bottom Line: I plan on owning the collection and would recommend it to any jazz fan with the caveat that it isn't a "definitive history" of the music.

Review: From the moment I heard this was being broadcast on PBS I began salivating. As a fan (and wannabe performer) of certain jazz "genres" (specifically be-bop, acid and free), I was interested in seeing how this music form evolved from the Bordellos of...

Pros: If you've forgotten how much you love jazz, this film will remind you.

Cons: Too many greats left out, and an over-emphasis on Louis Armstrong.

The Bottom Line: If you're new to jazz or are a lapsed jazz lover, this is for you. For hardcore jazz fans, you'll probably be disappointed.

Review: I was excited when I first heard that Ken Burns was doing a documentary on jazz. I've viewed "The Civil War" more times than I can count, and still consider it to be the single greatest achievement in television history. I was somewhat less enchanted...