Over at the terrific Dippermouth blog Ricky Riccardi commemorates this tune. Armstrong forgot all about the tune until people in the audience of his shows began shouting for it. He had no idea what it was all about until he was reminded that it was from this forgotten record date. Using a record as a…
The Smithsonian’s curator of American music explains how the history of two great American innovations—Jazz and baseball—are intertwined. H/T to Ricky Riccardi archivist who scanned the photos used. I especially like the one featured here — Pops with mask and smoke . . . American innovationsbaseballduke ellingtonJazzJohn Edward HasseLouis Armstrongnew orleansRicky RiccardiThe Smithsonian
An emotional highlight of the 2013 Satchmo Summerfest in New Orleans as legendary record producer George Avakian was interviewed by Louis Armstrong historians Ricky Riccardi and David Ostwald about a 9-CD boxed set of live recordings of Armstrong that Avakian produced in the 1950s. Towards the end of the interview, the 94-year-old Avakian listens to…
H/T to the one and only Ricky Riccardi. Scroll down to hear the audio. Also here is a NPR programme with Ricky and the very philosophical Matt Glaser. Christmas at home in Corona (c. 1940s) Christmaschristmas in new orleansJazzLouis Armstronglouis armstrong housematt glaserRicky Riccardi
A great shout out for Ricky’s book which I’ve been banging on about for a while. Evan ChristopherJazzLouis Armstrongmusicnew orleanspopsRicky RiccardiSatchmoWhat a Wonderful World
This from Ricky Riccardi’s excellent blog. Even with his frustrations over the treatment of his people, Armstrong remained a proud American and one of the country’s greatest cultural ambassadors. In 1959, Armstrong was asked about his title of “Ambassador of Goodwill,” Armstrong told a German reporter, “I’m an American first of all. And I don’t…
Jesse Norman, a prominent Oakeshottian, has this article in The Independent on “Pops’” autobiography which I too have recently read. The conceptual overlap between Jazz and the Oakeshott notion of conversation is uncannily similar. I couldn’t express my reaction to “Pops’” autobiography any better than Jesse: The book is peopled by a vast Runyonesque array of…
It was a dream come true (as they say) to finally visit “Pops” Corona house and take in the archives at Queens run by Ricky Riccardi, who did such a brilliant job in writing Pops’ biography. The highlights: 1. What is striking is that all employees, paid or volunteer, are so passionate about “Pops.” 2.…
In anticipation of visiting the hallowed turf that is the Louis Armstrong House Museum, the archives and meeting the archivist and author of the most excellent biography, here is Ricky’s latest “Pops” post. JazzLouis ArmstrongLouis Armstrong and his Hot FiveLouis Armstrong and his Hot Sevenlouis armstrong housemusicnew orleanspopsRicky RiccardiSatchmoWhat a Wonderful World
Yet another great posting from “the keeper of the flame.” And yes, I for one would like to see the fruits of Ricky’s research made available in book form. JazzLouis ArmstrongmusicRicky Riccardi
manwithoutqualities 