OK, just watched the second installment last night, and that was some slick shit, no doubt about it.
Incredible photos I'd never seen before (Louis Armstrong as a teenager, dig those bangs!); some great live footage of the Duke, confirming that he is the hippest, smoothest, jazzman who ever lived; and just a damn fine job of covering all the bases, from Harlem stride piano (check out Willie "The Lion" Smith's left hand action.... ouch!) to the crazy hybrid of J. Europe's marching band.
Also, interesting how the white guys from the Chicago suburbs heard the sound and migrated to the south side 'cuz they had to be near it. Jazz like that is the cure for white supremacy! And, it's amazing how sophisticated the music got so quickly.
In fact, I'd say the stuff about Armstrong is the best I've seen yet, and I've seen a few biopics on him.
The only down side for me? Why does Wynton always have to talk over Louis' solos? He's got a lot to say, but they ought to let that horn speak for itself!
(By the way, Elson, I read a thing about Wynton's horn in Downbeat. It's custom made by some guy, and it costs about $12 grand... and yeah, he plays sweetly. I guess Wynton is just an incredibally hot musician who feels his contribution is to keep past musicians' memory alive...)
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