Russell Davies presents a 52-part history of jazz, from its earliest stirrings to the end of the millennium. 12: Towards Lyricism. Bix
Beiderbecke's cornet playing combined understatement and obliqueness with a concern for purity of tone, thus providing a striking contrast with the style of Louis Armstrong. Other musicians like
Frankie Trumbauer and Red Nichols also favoured this nimble, clean approach, which would eventually lead to the "ballad-playing" style of jazz. Producer David Perry
Repeated Friday 11.30pm