Living Jazz in DC with Billy Taylor & Frank Wess

In this previously unreleased interview from the Kennedy Center archives, jazz legends Dr. Billy Taylor and Frank Wess lead you through their hometown's music scene. Through memories and music, they describe growing up in the nation's capital, their musical coming of age, and the people and places in Washington DC that are indelibly linked to the world of Jazz. Jazz legends Frank Wess (1922-2013) and Dr. Billy Taylor (1921-2010) paint a colorful picture of the nation's capital when its clubs and schools were teeming with a new kind of popular music—jazz. They also provide a glimpse into the challenges and inspirations of young, African-American men on their way to a prolific career in jazz in the 1930s, during a time of racial segregation.

Added 22 Jun 2026