Welcome back to the third, and final, installment in our series about the creation of Louis Armstrong’s beloved album Ambassador Satch, which was released 70 years ago last month. For those needing a refresher, in Part One, we discussed the genesis of the idea for the album and did a deep, deep dive into theContinue reading “70 Years of “Ambassador Satch” Part 3: Los Angeles Session and Album Release”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
70 Years of “Ambassador Satch” Part 2: Milan Session
Last time out, we told the story of the genesis of the album Ambassador Satch, the efforts of Columbia Records producer George Avakian, the recording of a complete Louis Armstrong concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the incredible publicity being generated by Armstrong’s European tour, including a New York Times Sunday front page storyContinue reading “70 Years of “Ambassador Satch” Part 2: Milan Session”
70 Years of “Ambassador Satch” Part 1: Amsterdam Concert
70 years ago this month, Columbia Records released a brand new Louis Armstrong recording, Ambassador Satch. Even without listening to it, you just knew it would be a classic based on the album cover alone; here’s Louis Armstrong’s personal copy: The other part of the title, “European Concert Recordings,” though, is only partially accurate. ToContinue reading “70 Years of “Ambassador Satch” Part 1: Amsterdam Concert”
“All Hail King Louis”: 70th Anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s 1956 Tour of Great Britain
70 years ago this week, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars arrived in England for a major, headline-making tour. How many headlines did they make? Enough to fill a gigantic scrapbook, one commissioned by Armstrong’s management at Associated Booking Corporation and press agent Ernie Anderson. ABC sent the scrapbook to Armstrong and today, we areContinue reading ““All Hail King Louis”: 70th Anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s 1956 Tour of Great Britain”
“Sugar Ray, Armstrong Click on Loew’s Stage”: Louis Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson in Rochester, April 1953
Today’s post is a bit different, but we hope it’s a rewarding one. On April 10, 11, and 12 1953, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars shared a bill with boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson and vocalist Helen Forresst at Loew’s Theater in Rochester, NY. Here’s an ad that ran in the Rochester Democrat andContinue reading ““Sugar Ray, Armstrong Click on Loew’s Stage”: Louis Armstrong and Sugar Ray Robinson in Rochester, April 1953″
Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington: 65 Years of “The Great Summit”
65 years ago today, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars stepped into RCA Victor’s Studio A in New York City to begin recording a new album. One member of the All Stars was conspicuously absent; pianist Billy Kyle, who would be replaced for the occasion by none other than Duke Ellington. Over the course ofContinue reading “Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington: 65 Years of “The Great Summit””
The Corona Collection: Willie Johnson
Hi readers, this is Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Normally I’m the one digging through the Archives to post the “Virtual Exhibits” that make up the bulk of this site. But last year, the Armstrong House embarked on one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been aContinue reading “The Corona Collection: Willie Johnson”
“I Got the Heebies!”: 100 Years of “Heebie Jeebies”
If you happened to be watching Jeopardy! last night, February 25, 2026, you would have seen the following Louis Armstrong-related clue: The timing of that clip could not have been planned any better as today is the 100th anniversary of the landmark recording of “Heebie Jeebies.” First, though, a declaration: there have been countless influentialContinue reading ““I Got the Heebies!”: 100 Years of “Heebie Jeebies””
“A Very Fine Man With a Camera”: In Loving Memory of Milan Schijatschky
Milan Schijatschky passed away this week at the age of 95. You might not recognize that name, but he was a Swiss dentist by trade, in addition to being a photographer who took what might have been Louis Armstrong’s very favorite photo. And he was a friend of mine. If you don’t mind, let meContinue reading ““A Very Fine Man With a Camera”: In Loving Memory of Milan Schijatschky”
“At Home in Corona”: A Memorable Audio Letter from Louis Armstrong, February 6, 1956
A scratchy record can be heard faintly in the background. It’s “Stranger in Paradise,” but it’s not Tony Bennett’s hit recording, it’s an obscure Italian pop singer, Ray Martino. After a few moments, the familar voice of Louis Louis Armstrong speaks: “At home in Corona, Long Island, New York. February 26th, 1956.” All of aContinue reading ““At Home in Corona”: A Memorable Audio Letter from Louis Armstrong, February 6, 1956″