Jazz is born in the African-American community of New Orleans but it grows up with the influence of ragtime, band music, spirituals, and the blues.

Just before World War II jazz continues its great popularity as demonstrated when Benny Goodman holds the first jazz concert ever at Carnegie Hall.

Looks at the Jazz Age, which began in 1917 and flourished until the mid-1920s, predominately in Chicago and New York.

In the 1930's, the fictional Emmet Ray ruled as the second greatest jazz guitarist in the world. But his reputation was eclipsed by his eccentric career moves, hilarious clashes with gangsters and stormy love affairs with two very different women.

In the years between 1955 and 1960 jazz faces plenty of competition from rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

Joe Gardner is a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. A misstep takes him from New York City to The Great Before, a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities before going to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22, who has never understood the appeal of the human life. As Joe tries to show 22 what's great about life, he may discover...

During World War II, swing becomes a symbol of democracy and freedom and on the home front, established musicians make way for a new musical style, bebop.

Teen activist and trailblazer Jazz Jennings--named one of "The 25 most influential teens" of the year by Time--shares her very public transgender journey, as she inspires people to accept the differences in others while they embrace their own truths.