TERRY GROSS, HOST:
This is FRESH AIR. On cable this month, Turner Classic Movies is presenting a series of movies with jazz connections. As it happens, our jazz critic Kevin Whitehead has a new book about movies that tell jazz stories. Here's his defense of a much maligned film genre - the jazz biopic, screened biographies of jazz musicians.
(SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY")
STEVE ALLEN: (As Benny Goodman) All right. Let's get to work.
SHEP MENKEN: (As Harry Goodman) I got only one suggestion to make, Benny.
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