Russell Davies presents a history of jazz, from its earliest stirrings to the end of the millennium.
15: The Rise of the Jazz Singers. The most significant vocalists in early jazz were Louis Armstrong and the great Bessie Smith , and their influence on singing styles in general was profound: even the young Bing Crosby investigated genuine jazz phrasing. At the same time, Duke
Ellington's vocalist Adelaide Hall was bringing some of the sophistication of Broadway to jazz singing. Producer David Perry
Repeated Friday 11.30pm