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 enlarge | Studio: PBS Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $179.99
Buy New: $105.61
You Save: $74.38 (41%)
New (39) Used (9) Collectible (1) from $103.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  147 reviews
Sales Rank: 10473
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 10
Running Time: 1140
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D705125D
UPC: 841887051255
EAN: 0841887051255
ASIN: B000BITUEI
Theatrical Release Date: January 8, 2001
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 What Do You Expect From Kenny-Boy? March 20, 2008
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
Those people who panned this series, gave it only 1 or 2 stars are absolutley correct: Burns shows his limited, biased view of jazz by virtually ignoring everything that came after 1961.
But, acknowledging the truth of that grave shortcoming, the series still is, for what it is, well-done and entertaining. It's not anything near an objective, comprehensive or even "fair" history of jazz, but -- it's jazz -- and that's all the title says it is.
Consider, too, that the personalities Burns chose, the biographies and sociology of the times he chose to focus in on, all these things must have been very, very hard to resist. While there are many great jazz performers post-1961, do they and the times they lived in compare to the drama and poignancy of what jazz was prior to 1960? Are the personalities as magnetic or as relevant, not just from a musical point of view but from an historical/sociological point of view?
Also, let's not expect too much from Ken Burns in terms of insightful, courageous filmmaking. Far from it. He's PBS' boy: he's their piano player, he just works there -- for PBS and its many corporatist sponsors. So to the degree jazz is radical, subversive and a danger to the status quo, well, Ken Burns or PBS'll have no part of it. They play it safe. Why? Because as Willie Sutton would put it: "That's where the money is."
PBS knows exactly what they're going to get when they sign Burns on. And if you think that "Burns' America" is going to be anything but mythology, then you haven't been paying attention to what PBS has become.
PBS' charter, way back when it started in the late 1960s, specifically stated that it would offer programming not available on commercial television. Now, given that pledge they made back in the 70s, look at how pathetic PBS has become. ... Cary Grant movies. ... Music programs of washed-up rock and roll singers who couldn't get on commercial teeveee nowadays with a car full of gangsters and three brigades of agents ... Biographies of Mario Lanza, Bobby Darin and, get this, 70s talk show host Mike Douglas! (Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel).
So Ken Burns knew just what he was doing. How wonderful it is for all these "cruise missile liberals" (not a radical bone in their body) talking about race way, WAY after it took any kind of real courage to talk about it. Oh, how they flock to tell us about *past* racial injustices; and how assiduously they ignore current political maladies.
No, Ken Burns in their boy, that's for sure. So, for sure, "Jazz" is highly entertaining, but do I expect Burns, in league with PBS, to do anything more than entertain? Of course not. Burns is a safe liberal and knowing how PBS has caved every time anyone has offered anything to the left of "safe liberalism," what he produces here is simply par for his course: entertaining, arbitrary, ingratiating and sacharrine.
 Very Worthwhile, Despite Some Flaws March 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Like other Ken Burns documentaries, this is a high-quality, entertaining, and educational film, well-worth viewing. However, if you expect adequate coverage of ALL the great jazz artists of the past 100 years, you'll surely be disappointed. Nonetheless, several dozen of the greatest and most influential artists do receive at least some--often very good--coverage. Perhaps not surprisingly--given their influence, popularity, and longevity--Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington receive the most coverage. The evolution of jazz as an American art form, and its context in American history (especially Black American history), is very well-presented. To a great extent, Burns focuses on jazz as a part of POPULAR American culture; as a result, the documentary is weighted towards the 1920s through 1940s, when jazz was THE most popular form of music in America. Coverage of the 1950's and 1960s--arguably the most EXCITING time for jazz, at least musically--is actually quite good, but could have been more comprehensive. After the 1960s, Burns' focus unfortunately seems to have been the decline of jazz (in popularity, record sales), although the series does conclude on a more positive note about the present and future of the music, with a bit of attention to several contemporary artists. Throughout the film, many different musicians, jazz critics, promoters, and fans present a variety of perspectives (some more worthwhile than others). Wynton Marsalis has the most "air-time"-- and kudos to him for a very fine job. Despite some obvious shortcomings, this series is well-worth watching--and there's lots of good music, too! I've been a jazz fan for over 30 years, and have watched it in its entirety 3 times; some episodes 4 or 5 times. It's hardly the definitive word on jazz--but who really would expect that?? I contend that some Amazon reviewers are much too harsh (and sometimes irrational) in their criticism of a very good film.
 Great Series, Very Educational March 3, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I am a music teacher and have been sharing this series over the last few months with some of my young players and I think it is absolutely fantastic!!!! I think that the commentary by such luminaries as Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Albert Murray,Margo Jeferson (the list is endless)is just amazing. Many first person accounts and you really can't ask for better than that . I guess I should also add Artie Shaw, just brilliant!!!
I would highly recommend this for anyone who is an instructor of any musical instrument, even voice. It shows young people that jazz truely is (to quote Rolling Stone Magazine)"The Blues With Wings."
Pete Melkert
Socrates62
One of a kind January 20, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a lengthy and definitive history of jazz, with extensive research and pictorial material. My one complaint is that there are virtually no opportunities to listen to the music without voice over. For the music itself, you need audio recordings as a supplement.
Some viewers may prefer an earlier and shorter documentary, "The Story of Jazz" (BMG 1991), which is just 1- 1/2 hours long, nicely done, and--because it was made several years earlier--has footage with some jazzmen who had passed on by the time Burns's documentary was made.
Interested listeners should also check out the "Jazz Icons" series of DVDs (TDK), which offer rare AV footage of live performances by American jazz greats in Europe during the '50s-'70s.
Enjoyable and Educational January 7, 2008
I am happy I bought this for my husband. He is the Jazz buff in our home. We are watching this together and find it not only entertaining but also educational. My husband and I appreciate the episodic feature of this presentation so as not to be overwhelming nor time consuming.
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