I have made a film about jazz that tries to look through jazz to see what it tells us about who we are as a people. I think that jazz is a spectacularly accurate model of democracy and a kind of look into our redemptive future possibilities. Ken Burns accuratedemocracyfilm share on social
Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to 20th century music (I did not say jazz) what Einstein is to physics. Ken Burns 20thamericanarmstrong Change image and share on social
Wynton told us that Miles sold out, just wanted to make more money, just wanted to sell more records. I don't believe that Miles sold out but I'm not in a position to say. Ken Burns makemilemoney Change image and share on social
The way I work, the interview never becomes larger than the person being interviewed. Ken Burns interviewlargeperson Change image and share on social
I think the problem with a lot of the fusion music is that it's extremely predictable, it's a rock rhythm and the solos all play the same stuff and they play it over and over again and there's a certain musical virtuosity involved in it. Ken Burns extremelyfusioninvolve share on social
The genius of our country is improvisation, and jazz reflects that. It's our great contribution to the arts. Ken Burns artcontributioncountry Change image and share on social
You need, as a historian, essential triangulation from your subject and the only way you get that triangulation is through time. Ken Burns essentialhistoriansubject Change image and share on social
History's just been made for sale to an inside deal. Ken Burns dealhistoryinside Change image and share on social
History is malleable. A new cache of diaries can shed new light, and archeological evidence can challenge our popular assumptions. Ken Burns archeologicalassumptioncache Change image and share on social
I can understand why some of these drummers and bass players become cult figures with all of their equipment and the incredible amount of technique they have. But there's very little that I think satisfies you intellectually or emotionally. Ken Burns amountbascult share on social
