Happy Birthday Louis Armstrong

Tomorrow, August 4, will be the 118th Anniversary of Louis Armstrong. Tomorrow radio station WKCR (wkcr.org) will be broadcasting 24 hours of his music. Today I present a short playlist of Satchmo's music.

First up is the Fats Waller-Andy Razaf song reflecting on race in America, "(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue."

Louis Armstrong first recorded ("I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You" in 1931. It was one of several versions he would record over the years. I have chosen the duet he recorded with Louis Jordan in 1950, when both of them were among Decca Records biggest stars.

In the 1920s Louis recorded with so many of the great early blues singers. I have chosen the late Sippie Wallace with her brother HersalThomas on piano and Louis Armstrong on cornet or trumpet doing "Jack Of Diamond Blues."

Here is the original recording of Louis Armstrong performing "When theSaints Go Marching In."

Now we go back to the Hot Five Days for another classic, "Heebie Jeebies."

For Norman Granz, Louis and Ella Fitzgerald recorded many duets. Here is "Summertime" from their grand "Porgy & Bess" album.

In the 1950s, Louis had the opportunity to revisit his early days an record a musical autobiography. Here he performs "Georgia Grind."

Here is an early recording of him performing "I Ain't Got Nobody" with a band that included Luis Russell on piano. He would later take over Russell's big band in the 1930s.

Hoagy Carmichael and Fats Waller were likely the two songwriters that Louis recorded more than others. Here he is performing "Stardust."

Finally we conclude with a late recording of his that has become one of his most remembered recordings "What a Wonderful World."

That's it. Again do not forget to tune in WKCR on Sunday.