Programmed June 2020

Jazz Shorts 1929–1939

Louis Armstrong swings, Bing Crosby croons, and Billie Holiday sings the blues in these tune-filled shorts, featuring some of the greatest jazz musicians of all time in their electrifying prime. Made as preludes to accompany feature films, these minimusicals helped popularize future superstars—from Cab Calloway to Hoagy Carmichael—on their way to becoming legends. From Bessie Smith belting the St. Louis Blues to Duke Ellington performing his Symphony in Black to big-band maestro Artie Shaw presenting a Class in Swing , this selection of syncopated sizzlers represents an indispensable record of America’s musical heritage. Added on Tuesday, 23 June 2020

No longer streaming