Release Date: 10 January 2005
Label: Naxos - Jazz Legends / Naxos Jazz Legends
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 636943281529
Genres: Jazz
Description
LOUIS ARMSTRONG Vol.5'Jeepers Creepers' Original Recordings 1938-1939A famous name by 1929, Louis Armstrong foundhimself a bit overshadowed during the Swing eraby the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorseyand Artie Shaw, but he remained a much belovedcelebrity who led his own underrated big band.Although few of the newer fans of the swingbands probably realized it, Armstrong'saccomplishments in the 1920s helped set thestage for the big band era that followed.For Louis Armstrong, it had been a steep butsteady climb from poverty to worldwide celebrity.Born 4 August 1901 in New Orleans, Armstrongwas raised by a single mother who did her bestdespite the odds that were stacked against her.Young Louis loved the New Orleans brass bands,sang in a vocal group on the street for penniesand played a little bit of cornet as a child. Thebiggest break in his life was an unusual one, for atfirst it looked like the beginning of a tragedy. OnNew Year's Eve of 1912, in celebration he shot offa pistol in the air, and was quickly arrested.Because he had been largely unsupervised, he wassent to live in a waif's home. However Armstrongthrived in the strict surroundings, began to reallystudy cornet, and was thrilled when he wasconsidered talented enough to play with theschool's band. After two years when he wasreleased, he was considered a promising youngmusician and he soon became an important partof the exciting New Orleans jazz scene.Developing quickly, by 1919 Armstrong wasconsidered one of the city's top cornetists. Whenhis hero Joe 'King' Oliver moved up North, herecommended that Louis be his replacement withKid Ory's highly respected band. In 1922 whenOliver was well settled in Chicago with his CreoleJazz Band, he sent for Armstrong to become hissecond cornetist. The following year, Louis madehis recording debut with Oliver, and even at thatearly stage it was already obvious that it would beonly a matter of time before he would exceed theolder cornetist.During 1924-25, Armstrong was in New Yorkas the star cornet soloist with Fletcher Henderson'sorchestra. His legato phrasing, ability to 'tell astory' and use of space for dramatic effect, not tomention his beautiful tone, made a hugeimpression on other musicians (includingColeman Hawkins) and arranger Don Redman.By the time that Satch went back to Chicago,Fletcher Henderson's big band had evolved froma dance band to the first real swing orchestra.While playing nightly with big bands inChicago, Louis Armstrong (who permanentlyswitched to trumpet) recorded his innovativeseries of recordings with his Hot Five, Hot Sevenand Savoy Ballroom Five during 1925-28,changing jazz from an ensemble-oriented musicto one that emphasizes virtuoso soloists. He wasalso a monumental influence on singers, phrasinglike a horn and popularizing scat-singing. In1929 he relocated to New York, using the LuisRussell orchestra as a backup band for some ofhis first big band recordings. After spendingmuch of 1933-34 in Europe, Armstrong returnedt
Tracklisting
Various
Waller, Fats
Waller, Fats
Venuti, Joe
Vaughan
Various Artists
Various
Various
