Avalon Jazz Lounge

His Basie bits are boss

July 06, 1971 : Satchmo dies Louis Satchmo Armstrong, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, dies in New York City at the age of 69. A world-renowned jazz trumpeter and vocalist, he pioneered jazz improvisation and the style known as swing. Louis Daniel Armstrong was born in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, in 1901. He grew up in poverty and from a young age was interested in music. In 1912, he was incarcerated in the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys, al...Continue reading

I’m talking about something that’s so impossible it can’t possibly be true. But it’s the only way the world’s gonna survive, this impossible thing. My job is ...to change five billion people to something else. Totally impossible. But everything that’s possible’s been done by men, I have to deal with the impossible. And when I deal with the impossible and am successful, it makes me feel good because I know that I’m not bullshittin’. Sun Ra See more

The broad strokes story says Ella was discovered singing at the Apollo Theater and was offered a spot with the Chick Webb Orchestra. The details are a little more interesting

April 1st at a Hogtown Strutters' Ball? Pick me up in a taxi honey...

Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt and the Louis Armstrong Orchestra