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Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo," "Satch," and "Pops," was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in Jazz. His career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of jazz.
Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, he was a foundational influence in the distinctive genre, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. By the 1950s, Armstrong was a national musical icon, appearing regularly in radio and television broadcasts and on film. (Source: Wikipedia)
Happy Birthday, sir, and thank you.
Discussion (13)
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Did you ever read “Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong,” by Terry Teachout? It was published in 2009. An excellent biography of Sachmo. I reviewed it, but this was before I joined Ricochet, so I never put the review up.
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Some years ago, my Dad was post-bypass in the ICU in Newark NJ …and he wasn’t waking up. I was allowed in 30 minutes a day, and got there first thing to get a parking spot. It’d been a week and I’d been standing over the bed watching the monitors. One morning I walked in and there was a radio on the windowsill playing “What a Wonderful World.” That’s when I teared up. He was awake.
I always said Miles Davis was a great horn player, Duke Ellington was a great musician, and Louis Armstrong was a great man. And he was Dad’s hero.
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An American treasure.
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That's a super book. I bought it one Christmas for the late Mr. She, and read it myself first.
Indeed. I have written some posts about him over the years and always say something like, "If watching Louis Armstrong perform doesn't bring a smile to your face, I'm not sure I want to know you."
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You can make a strong case he might be the most important musician of the 20th Century.
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