Swing Dynamite Blog

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Happy Birthday Satchmo. Thanks for the great Swing Music.

[ No Comments ] Posted by on Aug 04, 2011 in Jazz and Blues Musicians, Nifty Not Totally Swing Related, Swing History, Swing Music

August 4, 1901. What a happy day!

110 years ago, Louis Armstrong – also known as Satchmo, Satch and Pops, was born in New Orleans. And what a legacy he left. It is impossible to think of Jazz (and Swing) without thinking of Louis.  From Dixieland to the Great America Songbook, Satchmo regaled us with his talents.  As a young man in his native New Orleans, he played under the tutelage of great Jazz figures such as Kid Ory and Joe “King” Oliver.

Louis had a long, prolific career despite the humbleness of his origins and the colour of his skin.  He came to be an inspiration for white and black artists alike in a country still divided by severe racial issues.

Here’s a delightful video of one of Louis’ most popular duets with his life-time friend Ella Fitzgerald with whom he recorded three albums.

Enjoy!

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