Overview

Chronicling the Harlem Renaissance era, this retrospective documentary tracks the origins of the soulful music of the period, along with the challenges many of the genre's artists faced when trying to gain recognition within conventional society. Included are anecdotes from musicians and historians, plus footage of performances and interviews with Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and more.

Genres

Cast

Cab Calloway

Self (archive footage)

Louis Armstrong

Self (archive footage)

Duke Ellington

Self (archive footage)

Bill Robinson

Self (archive footage)

Nat King Cole

Self (archive footage)

Lena Horne

Self (archive footage)

Dizzy Gillespie

Self (archive footage)

Count Basie

Self (archive footage)

Fats Waller

Self (archive footage)

Dorothy Dandridge

Self (archive footage)

Billy Eckstine

Self (archive footage)