Jazz

[Carl Remick]

Just wanted to put in a good word for Ken Burns' monumental series on jazz 
(the 5th installment airs on PBS tonight).  Knowledgeable critics have 
faulted Burns for slighting contemporary jazz, indulging in hagiography and 
assorted other ills, and I'm sure there's merit in what they say.  
Nonetheless, I have found the series a total delight.  It was worth the 
eight hours or so of viewing to date simply to learn of the wonderful 
clarinetist/saxophonist Sidney Bechet -- whom I'd somehow missed my entire 
life -- and he's just one giant among many examined in this tremendous 
documentary.  As a window on U.S. musical and racial history, this really is 
must-see TV.

Carl
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