The Documentary Channel brings us a 4-part series titled “Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense.” We’re look forward to seeing this as a lot of present-day jazz doesn’t get the exposure that we think it deserves. Dave and Brass Ecstasy are featured here as well. Premieres Monday April 20th at 9:00 EST. Watch the trailer below.
From the Documentary Channel Blog:
“Icons” provides a timely, vibrant trip through the clubs, festivals, and lives of this new generation of jazz musicians. From hip hop to bebop and from jam band to free form, the music continues to grow and shape itself in ways as varied as the musicians who play it.
“The creation of this film series has been a life changing experience,” explains Comerford, president of Paradigm Studio. “In nearly seven years of production we have traveled the world and encountered the most committed, talented and spirited group of artists one could imagine. I feel the deepest appreciation for our American cultural heritage, which feeds the life of this country, while simultaneously I clearly understand that our capacity for reinvention is like no other. The combined simplicity and complexity of this observation is the essence of my understanding of the jazz art form and its restless energy.”
Monday, April 20 “Icons Among Us” – Episode 1 – “A Quiet Revolution” 9 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, April 27 “Icons Among Us” – Episode 2 – “12 Notes In Real Time” 9 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, May 4 “Icons Among Us” – Episode 3 – “Utopia” 9 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, May 11 “Icons Among Us” – Episode 4 – “Everything Everywhere” 9 p.m. ET/PT
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What if we don’t get The Documentary Channel? Will these episodes be available online?
Yeah, I don’t even have a TV. I asked a buddy to TiVo it for me. But I’ll check it out and see if they have plans of releasing it online. Maybe Netflix will add it to their library. Here’s hoping.
Got a note back from their production team about this. They have plans to release as downloadable content, but don’t have any timeline for those distribution formats. We’ll see if an update comes in soon.
This is great exposure for the music and musicians. It is confounding that one can go down to a place like the 55 Bar and hear world class music, sometimes with an audience the size of the band. Granted I love the intimacy of this, but I absolutely wish the music be heard by other thirsty ears.
I don’t have cable TV, but will be certain to inform all my non-musician friends of this program, which seems to be a very accessible and thoroughly researched series.