Louis Armstrong: An iconic trumpeter and vocalist
One of the most influential and charismatic artists of the 20th century
Last updated 29th Jun 2020
One of the most influential and charismatic artists of the 20th century, Armstrong's career lasted over five decades, which meant running with changing musical styles from the early trad-jazz of the 1920s to the 1960s.
A New Orleans hero who overcame dire poverty, Louis' inventive trumpet playing is instantly recognisable along with his gravelly voice - so often the perfect contrast to Ella Fitzgerald in some of our favourite recordings.
Back in 2016, a short film archive of Louis Armstrong from 1959 during a recording session in Los Angeles was found in a storage facility. Previously unheard Louis Armstrong recordings were released in 2017, after Dot Time Records announced a partnership with the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Inc. to continue their ‘Legends’ series, making four previously unreleased productions available to the public.