The Jazz Singers
August, 1961
* * * a lyrical survey of blues belters and balladeers, from bessie smith to ella fitzgerald, from leadbelly to ray charlespart IIIn the early years of the Depression-wracked Thirties, jazz in all its expressions began to acquire a sophistication and a popular acceptance that had been denied it during its lusty, wailing prepubescence. A number of big bands -- with sidemen duked up in tuxedos and blowing from neatly-inked arrangements on their music stands -- were making decent money and playing...
