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American Masters

A Song for Cesar

Season 37 Episode 8

Trace the life and legacy of labor activist Cesar Chavez. Through interviews with Maya Angelou, Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and more, see how music and the arts were instrumental to the success of the social movement Chavez helped found, which mobilized thousands of farmworkers across the U.S.

Aired: 09/28/23
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Judith & Burton Resnick, Seton J. Melvin, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Vital Projects Fund, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Koo and Patricia Yuen and public television viewers.
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Thought Leaders
American Masters
Bella! This Woman’s Place is in the House
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
Episode: S37 E10
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
American Masters
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
Episode: S37 E9
Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely
Watch • 1:22:45
American Masters
Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely
Follow the 50-year career of First Amendment lawyer and legal expert Floyd Abrams.
Episode: S37 E7 | 1:22:45
Jerry Brown: The Disrupter
Watch • 1:33:44
American Masters
Jerry Brown: The Disrupter
Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.
Episode: S37 E6 | 1:33:44
Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Watch • 1:29:31
American Masters
Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard.
Episode: S37 E5 | 1:29:31
Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
Watch • 1:45:01
American Masters
Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
See the world through the eyes of Nam June Paik, the father of video art.
Episode: S37 E4 | 1:45:01
In The Making
Watch • 1:51:39
American Masters
In The Making
Follow two performers as they break down barriers in opera and country music.
Episode: S37 E3 | 1:51:39
Dr. Tony Fauci
Watch • 1:53:11
American Masters
Dr. Tony Fauci
Join Dr. Anthony Fauci as he reflects on his life and career as a public health advocate.
Episode: S37 E2 | 1:53:11
Roberta Flack
Watch • 1:23:33
American Masters
Roberta Flack
Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism.
Episode: S37 E1 | 1:23:33
Groucho & Cavett
Watch • 1:21:59
American Masters
Groucho & Cavett
Discover the enduring friendship between legendary comedians Dick Cavett and Groucho Marx.
Episode: S36 E8 | 1:21:59
Extras
How Max Roach fused jazz and hip hop
Watch • 2:48
American Masters
How Max Roach fused jazz and hip hop
Max Roach was excited by the premise and promise of rap when it first hit the music scene.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:48
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:29
How Max Roach created the experimental sound of M'Boom
Watch • 2:13
American Masters
How Max Roach created the experimental sound of M'Boom
Max Roach founded M'Boom, a jazz group made up of experimental percussionists.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:13
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.
Preview: S37 E9 | 2:29
Dan Abrams on defending his father's work on Citizens United
Watch • 3:41
American Masters
Dan Abrams on defending his father's work on Citizens United
Dan Abrams discusses how he admires his father for working on cases he may not agree with.
Clip: S37 E7 | 3:41
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Watch • 1:07
American Masters
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
Preview: S37 E9 | 1:07
How the farmworkers’ movement used concerts to fundraise
Watch • 3:41
American Masters
How the farmworkers’ movement used concerts to fundraise
Jim Cassell organized concerts as fundraisers for the farmworkers’ movement.
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:41
Peaceful protest with Joan Baez
Watch • 2:32
American Masters
Peaceful protest with Joan Baez
Singer Joan Baez was one of the peaceful protesters of the farmworkers’ movement.
Clip: S37 E8 | 2:32
The music of America’s farmworkers
Watch • 3:11
American Masters
The music of America’s farmworkers
Daniel Valdez created a bolero song from the poem "Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun."
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:11
Cesar Chavez's love of jazz and pachuco culture
Watch • 3:28
American Masters
Cesar Chavez's love of jazz and pachuco culture
Civil rights activist Cesar Chavez expressed an interest in music from an early age.
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:28