American Epic(2017)

The First Time America Heard Itself

American Epic is a three-part documentary series that journeys across 1920s America to uncover the forgotten musicians whose voices were captured on record for the first time. Narrated by Robert Redford and featuring insights from Jack White, Nas, Taj Mahal and others, the series explores how these early recordings of ordinary Americans fundamentally changed music history. From blues and country to folk and gospel, American Epic traces the birth of recorded music in the United States and celebrates the pioneering artists whose work laid the foundation for modern popular music. The documentary combines archival footage, rare recordings and contemporary interviews to reveal the stories behind the songs that shaped American culture.