Those who dismiss this film because it doesn't address social concerns or the "real" founders of jazz or the blues need the proverbial "whack in the of the head."
It is true that black musicians created the fundamental elements of blues and jazz, white musicians also had a significant impact on the development. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band made the first recordings of jazz and brought it into "respectable" society. That paved the way for all that followed.
Louis Armstrong considered Guy Lombardo's orchestra his favorite. White musicians hung out at places where black musicians performed. Black and white learned from each other to create the sound called "jazz." Black and white musicians worked together long before they were both allowed to use the same hotels, restaurants or restrooms. One of the great musicians in the film, Jack Teagarden was part Cherokee Indian. Great musicians like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman employed "colored" musicians and were both integrators and innovators. Jazz is an amalgamation of many cultures and races.
Is the plot contrived? Yes. Is it corny? Yes. Is it delightful entertainment for the time it was filmed? Absolutely. And it can be enjoyed by todays audiences if you remember how society has progressed since then and how jazz played by both black and white musicians were responsible for creating a truly American art form.
Louis Armstrong considered Guy Lombardo's orchestra his favorite. White musicians hung out at places where black musicians performed. Black and white learned from each other to create the sound called "jazz." Black and white musicians worked together long before they were both allowed to use the same hotels, restaurants or restrooms. One of the great musicians in the film, Jack Teagarden was part Cherokee Indian. Great musicians like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Paul Whiteman employed "colored" musicians and were both integrators and innovators. Jazz is an amalgamation of many cultures and races.
Is the plot contrived? Yes. Is it corny? Yes. Is it delightful entertainment for the time it was filmed? Absolutely. And it can be enjoyed by todays audiences if you remember how society has progressed since then and how jazz played by both black and white musicians were responsible for creating a truly American art form.