A film portrait of Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong 1900-71
Louis Armstrong was the best-known and the most influential of all jazz men as well as, in his later years, a much-loved popular entertainer. His recordings in the 1960s of 'Hello Dolly' and 'What a wonderful world' sold millions of records. But he had already established himself as the first jazz soloist of any real importance 40 years earlier. In the 1920s his Chicago recordings on cornet with King Oliver's
Creole Jazz Band, and later, on trumpet with his own Hot Five and Hot Seven, revolutionised jazz and awakened people to the possibilities of the new music. Russell Davies presents this portrait of Louis Armstrong which includes many of his rare film and television appearances.
Among the contributors filmed in New Orleans and New York are:
Lionel Hampton , George James 'Jabbo' Smith, Danny Barker Leslie Thompson 'Doc' Cheatham
Arvell Shaw, Joe Muranyi and Louis's personal physician 'Doc' Schiff Film editor KEITH WILTON
Producer PHILIP SPEIGHT (R)