Under the guiding hand of executive producer Martin Scorsese, The Blues is a seven-part television series of personal and impressionistic films by seven world-famous directors who share a passion for the music. The films, by Scorsese, Wim Wenders, Richard Pearce, Charles Burnett, Marc Levin, Mike Figgis and Clint Eastwood, capture the essence of blues music and delve into its global influence - from its roots in Africa to its inspirational role in today's music. The Blues airs Sunday-Saturday, September 28-October 4 at 9 p.m. ET, with repeat broadcasts on the same night at 12 & 2 a.m. ET. Watch the trailer.

Countless artists have credited the blues with influencing their music. In this musical voyage, trace the music's journey from Africa, across America and to Europe, and perceive the effects of the blues on all popular music. It can be argued that no other type of music has had a more everlasting influence on today's artists than the blues. As Willie Dixon said, "The blues are the roots; everything else is the fruits."

The Blues is the first word on the blues, not the last. The series does not attempt to present a complete history of the blues through definitive films, but rather each director's personal interpretations. History, politics, economics, race, migration and religion all shaped blues music. Its universal themes - loss, work, family, love, hardship - and shared experiences are easily embraced. The Blues aims to capture the essence of the music - its emotional resonance - and explore how the blues has so deeply influenced people the world over. Driven by the beat of performances by famous players from every kind of music the blues has inspired - hip-hop, rhythm and blues, soul, country and rock 'n' roll - the series takes you on a journey as soulful and ebullient as the music itself.

Saturdays, 1/14-2/25 from 12:30-2 a.m. ET