Season 1

Season 1

Episode 1: “Beginnings” - pt.1

Episode Synopsis

It all starts somewhere, and often early on. Jazz Backstory begins with tales of childhood inspiration, moments that in retrospect, launched careers. Interviewees include Jon Hendricks. Sherrie Maricle, Dave Valentin and Ed Shaughnessey. 

Transcript

Episode 2: “Beginnings" - pt. 2

Episode Synopsis

A second set of engaging “a-ha” anecdotes from Kenny Davern, Nat Adderley, Annie Ross and Junior Mance.

Transcript

Episode 3: ”Learning the Art of Jazz” - pt. 1

Episode Synopsis

Inspiration set the path to jazz, the subsequent learning process required mentors, trial and error and “dues paying.” Sweets Edison, Clark Terry, Eddie Locke and John Pizzarelli share their memories.

Transcript

Episode 4: “Learning the Art of Jazz” - pt.2

Episode Synopsis

Dr. Billy Taylor, Phil Woods, Holly Hofmann and Jerry Jerome continue the tales of entering the jazz life before the music was accepted by academia.

Transcript

Episode 5: “Jazz Improvisation” - pt. 1

Episode Synopsis

Improvisation is at the core of a jazz performance and we called on Joe Wilder, Dianne Reeves, Bill Charlap and Charles McPherson to describe what it is and how it is done.

Transcript

Episode 6: “Jazz Improvisation” - pt.2

Episode Synopsis

The task of defining the undefinable falls to a second group of improvisors. Bill Watrous, Jane Ira Bloom, Dr. Denny Zeitlin and Michael Weiss add their personal perspectives.

Transcript

Episode 7: “A Slice of the Jazz Life” - pt. 1

Episode Synopsis

The life of a jazz musician is never boring. George Shearing, Marian McPartland, Terry Gibbs and Milt Hinton regale us with behind-the-scenes scenarios, both poignant and absurd.

Transcript

Episode 8: “A Slice of the Jazz Life” - pt. 2

Episode Synopsis

We wrap up Season 1 with a second slice. Stories from Benny Powell, Bill Watrous, Charles Davis, Ronnie Zito and Glenn Zottola make it clear that the jazz life itself is an improvisation.

Transcript