Jam Session

Duke Ellington and his band play the title song at a Harlem restaurant while men and women enter the locale.

It's one of more than two thousand "soundies" produced between 1939 and 1947, meant to be played on a device called a Mills Panoram. For seven years they could be found in bars, night clubs, and other places where people would gather. Think of them as music videos, available for viewing at a dime a song.

By the time this came out, it was considered worthwhile to identify all the members of the band with a big subtitle to tell you who was playing. Some, like Ben Webster, are still well known, but they all are worth knowing.

This is one of the most popular soundies online with more than two and a half million views. If you want to see for yourself -- and hear! -- check under the title "C Jam Blues"