Built on individualism and compromise, independence and cooperation, Jazz has been called the purest expression of American democracy.

From the tough streets of New Orleans to Chicago’s south side, award-winning director Ken Burns visits the places where innovative composers and musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis and John Coltrane made their music famous, and examines how over the course of its history Jazz has reflected the political and social issues of the African American community (Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 December
from 1pm).

Featuring the best of the music alongside interviews with today’s jazz figures and critics, this is the story of the growth and development of Jazz in 20^th century America.