Arena
Season 1 • Episode 197: Jazz Juke Box • Watch with subtitles
Episode 197: Jazz Juke Box
February 15, 1983
George Melly presents films of the greatest names of swing jazz - but with a difference. Some were made for visual juke boxes which flourished in the early 40s, others are promotional shorts from the major Hollywood companies. The forerunners of today's rock promos, these gems are by turns witty, moving, surreal and always irresistibly entertaining. The line-up includes Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong Billy Holliday , Fats Waller Bessie Smith and the three kings of boogie-woogie, Meade Lux Lewis , Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson.
If the video doesn't play, try refreshing the page or check back later. Subtitles available in English, Spanish, French, German, Bulgarian, and many more languages.