THE POWER OF JAZZ
FROM MILES DAVIS TO RADIOHEAD
A defining four-part series that finally recognises the importance of jazz, through the artists, albums, stories and culture that inspired the biggest names in rock, pop, hip-hop, dance and culture.
From Miles Davis, via the civil rights movement and hip-hop, to today’s thriving new-wave jazz scene.
Episode 1 (pt 1)
JAZZ IN ROCK (pt 1)
Modal jazz.
Radiohead with Robert Glasper record ‘Life in a glasshouse/everything in its right place’.
Whilst telling the story of modal jazz. Created by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans, who between them have influenced every jazz musician since and created the most successful and beautiful jazz genre, which continues to be heard to this day through the likes of Radiohead, Talk Talk, Joni Mitchell and Lady Blackbird.
Episode 1 (pt 2)
JAZZ IN ROCK (pt 2)
Nile Rodgers and Maria Schneider record David Bowie’s ‘Lazarus’, from his last, jazz-inspired, album, Blackstar.
Whilst telling the story of David Bowie’s long relationship with jazz and of the fusion genre that saw jazz fused with rock, disco and dance. Featuring Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Damon Albarn, Henry Rollins and Herbie Hancock.
Episode 2
JAZZ IN DANCE & HIP HOP
Kendrick Lamar records a version of his black anthem ‘Alright’
Whilst telling the story of how jazz transitioned into hip-hop, featuring The Last Poets, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Bob James, Guru, J Dilla, Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Snoop Dogg, Gang Starr, Prince and Kamasi Washington.
Episode 3
JAZZ IN POP
Adele records a version of ‘There is no greater love’, previously sung by Amy Winehouse & Billie Holiday.
Whilst, telling the story of how smooth jazz in the 1980s led to jazz-pop taking over the charts and original jazz musicians collaborating with pop’s biggest names. Featuring Amy Winehouse, Adele, Sade, Jon Baptiste, George Michael, Bryan ferry, Jamie Cullum, Was (Not Was), Pigbag, La La Land, Jacob Collier, Coldplay, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Gregory Porter.
Episode 4 (pt 1)
JAZZ IN REAL LIFE (pt 1)
The ‘60s free jazz movement
Black Midi & Nubya Garcia record John Coltrane’s civil rights anthem, ‘Alabama’.
Whilst telling the story of how free jazz became the soundtrack to civil rights and the black power movement. How Martin Luther King and Malcolm X recognised the significance of jazz and how its influence continues to this day through the likes of Black Midi, Squid, and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead.
Episode 4 (pt 2)
JAZZ IN THE REAL WORLD (pt 2)
Beyonce records a version of her own female rights track ‘‘Don’t hurt yourself’.
Whilst, telling the story of protest and female empowerment in jazz. How jazz has soundtracked protest and activism through the Harlem Resistance, prohibition, segregation, the civil rights movement and 70’s racism, to the floods in New Orleans and Black Lives Matter. Featuring: Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Gabriels, Kendrick Lamar, Bruce Springsteen, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong and Beyonce.
EXTRA EPISODE
TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ABOVE
JAZZ TODAY
Questlove and Sons of Kemet record a new version of Thelonious Monk’s jazz standard ‘Round Midnight’.
Whilst, telling the story of today’s thriving new wave jazz scene in the US, UK & across the globe, with new young jazz artists producing contemporary cover versions and collaborating with artists across other music genres such as grime, rap, EDM and even orchestral. Creating the coolest music and attracting the coolest crowds to sold-out underground gigs. Featuring Thelonious Monk, Robert Glasper, Makaya McCraven, Steam Down, Ezra Collective, Gorillaz, Pharoah Sanders, Floating Points, Tomorrow’s Warriors and Shabaka Hutchings.