Maggie's Farm

I've watched the first two episodes of the Burns Jazz Doc online at Netflix, already aware of that there was some controversy over it, though I haven't bothered delving into the nature of the controversy -- who's critical or why. Anyway, I liked both of the first two episodes & found little to fault, or at least get upset about -- and I know a thing or two about jazz.

Jazz, like so much else, started getting politicized by younger players in the late 50's & it only got worse in the 60's. It was mostly about race; some of the younger black players of the day decided their (in most instance, completely justified) militancy over civil rights had to extend to the music, too, sometimes in unfortunately abrasive fashion. I've read interviews with older jazz musicians, black and white, who have said that in some respects the relationship between black and white jazz players was worse in the 60's than it had been in the 30's & 40's when it was near impossible for an integrated band to function professionally.

Anyhow, I would guess the controversy has something to do with Burns offending official positions on the history of jazz that were formed in the 60's & 70's.

I've never read Gioia's book, though I've heard good things about it. I recently read "A New History of Jazz", by Alyn Shipton, (published 2007) and I would recommend it as well. I think in many respects he presents the history of the music in greater depth and scope than most histories allow the music, and he doesn't seem to have a particular ideological axe to grind.