Course Description

Instructor: John O'Shea

I will present music from Louis Armstrong and his All Stars “Satchmo at Symphony Hall� concert from Boston on November 30th 1947. Some students, might have joined in on the first part from last year, it was quite a hit with the eighty or so who attended just before Emory’s OLLI moved to our present location. This remains probably the best classic jazz concert ever recorded, with undoubtedly the best recorded jazz drumming as provided by Sid Catlett. Jack Teagarden, however, almost steals the show with his tromboning and vocals, plus Barney Bigard is on clarinet, Dick Cary on piano, Arvell Shaw on bass, and Velma Middleton on vocals. And Louis himself provides matchless charm, swing, musicianship, trumpeting, and singing, described simply by Edward Kennedy (“Duke�) Ellington as “beyond category�.

Mr. Armstrong himself should be more than up for this performance. It has had to be scheduled with extra care because since his earthly departure on July 6th 1971 he has very busily been holding the First Trumpet Chair in heaven, previously held by the Archangel Gabriel.