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Article: Ken Burns, Opening A Window on Jazz; His 5-CD Sampler Gives a Much- Needed, But Limited, Vista of American Music
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- November 12, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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"Ken Burns Jazz: The Story of American Music"--no matter the
dissension it's sure to stir up among fans and critics--is going to
be the best promotional tool the music has seen since the swing era
of the 1930s.
For 19 hours in January, public television will glimmer with the
sounds and sights of some of the greatest music our country has ever
created, presented in the tried-and-true Burns fashion. The
significance of this event is not to be dismissed, because jazz, for
all its cultural prestige, is still well under the radar of the
average American listener.
The figures point out the dismaying truth: Jazz recordings account
for less than 10 percent of the sales market. The vast majority of ...