AMG Review of Ken Burns Jazz, Vol. 1

Joslyn Layne
All Music Guide

This three-CD set compiles various recordings by three of the most famous names in swing jazz: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman. While the front cover claims to contain "3 classic albums," the set actually consists of three compilations: the Ken Burns Jazz collections of each artist, to be exact. So, as with the documentary series, it's a misleading presentation, but you still get some excellent music. Each over-70-minute disc provides a sampling of some of the best-loved songs by these artists.