Bing Crosby Rediscovered | PBS Special

For the first half of the 20th century, jazz champion Bing Crosby (1903-1977) was the most popular and influential multi-media star. Crosby reigned supreme through radio, film, television and records for more than three decades.

Crosby’s deep love of jazz brought the genre to a wider, mainstream audience. While a singer for the band the Rhythm Boys, Crosby bent notes and added off-tune phrasing in true jazz form.

With his trademark warm bass-baritone voice, Crosby explored the intimacy of the microphone and a laid-back singing style that influenced many of the popular male singers who followed him, including Frank Sinatra.

Crosby shared a long-standing professional relationship with jazz great Louis Armstrong, the pair sang the duet “Now You Has Jazz” for the 1965 film High Society.

The PBS documentary Bing Crosby Rediscovered explores never-before-seen archives from Crosby’s estate, including home movies, Dictabelt recordings, photos and more. To watch Bing Crosby Rediscovered, click here.

Photo credit: npr.org