American Epic

7.2
2017

Travel the country in search of unknown 1920s artists, when the music of ordinary Americans was recorded for the first time, transforming music forever, in a three-part film narrated by Robert Redford, featuring Jack White, Nas, Taj Mahal and others.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: American Epic (Trailer)

American Epic (Trailer)

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American Epic (PBS Preview)

Seasons

3 Episodes • Premiered 2017

Still image for American Epic season 1 episode 1: The Big Bang

1. The Big Bang

Travel to 1920s Tennessee as the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Memphis Jug Band make their first records with producer Ralph Peer on a revolutionary portable recording machine, creating the first recordings of R&B and country songs.

Still image for American Epic season 1 episode 2: Blood and Soil

2. Blood and Soil

Travel to the rural South as Elder Burch, Charley Patton and others record early Delta blues, gospel and protest songs. The Great Flood of 1927 devastates Mississippi River communities, leading to northern migration and Chicago Blues by Howlin' Wolf.

Still image for American Epic season 1 episode 3: Out of the Many, the One

3. Out of the Many, the One

Discover how America's diverse cultures contribute to its musical styles: from the Hopi tribe to Hawaii's Joseph Kekuku to Mexican-American Lydia Mendoza and the Cajun Breaux Family. Mississippi John Hurt's blues inspires a generation of musicians.

Cast

Photo of Robert Redford

Robert Redford

Narrator (voice)

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