This season offers new and old evidence of the vitality of “American Masters,” which resides in the scope of its attention and the intelligence and honesty it knows subjects of such brilliance deserve. A premiere life of Willa Cather (September 7) will be followed by a long-awaited treatment of one of the most contentious of American writing lives, Ernest Hemingway (September 14).

This June the subjects are mostly musical – a charming life of Ella Fitzgerald (June 1), followed by one on Gene Kelly (June 8), which features priceless footage of the dancer in “Pal Joey,” the Broadway show and role that got him the attention of Hollywood (and which he never managed to film). In a diversion from the singing and dancing, June 15’s episode premieres a hilarious, moving tribute to PBS superstar Julia Child.

Later subjects include Louis Armstrong, George Stevens (who directed Dean’s final film, “Giant”), Bob Newhart, and Samuel Goldwyn. The most surprising entry involves Sweet Honey in the Rock (airing June 29), an African-American a capella women’s group beloved by some but less known to the general public – in part for its politics (the group grew from the Civil Rights era, and its activist spirit has endured for more than 30 years).