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Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns – Episode Three: Our Language (Film)
  • Date: Friday, May 23, 2014
  • Time: 4:00 pm
  • Location: William G. McGowan Theater, Washington, DC

Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns is an exploration of one of the defining art forms of America. From Duke Ellington to Louis Armstrong, Jazz traces the people and cultures of the music from its very origins in New Orleans. Following its progression through two World Wars, a Great Depression, and economic boom times all the way up to today, Ken Burns paints a rich and complete picture of the evolution of jazz music.

In the 1920s, jazz is everywhere, and for the first time soloists and singers take center stage. In this episode, we meet Bessie Smith, Empress of the Blues; Bix Beiderbecke, the first great white jazz star; and Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw, for whom jazz offers a chance to escape the ghetto and achieve their dreams.

The National Archives is also screening Episodes One, Two, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten as part of Jazz at the National Archives. You can purchase the entire series on DVD from the myArchives Store; members receive a 10% discount.

Jazz logo large greyJazz at the National Archives is made possible in part by the Foundation for the National Archives through the generous support of Natixis Global Asset Management.