Satchmo: Louis Armstrong

Masters Of American Music

Satchmo.There are few people who will not recognize that name.Louis Armstrong embodied twentieth-century American culture.He revolutionized the world of music and became one of the nation's most influential entertainers.No other performer of his era had such a profound effect as a singer as well as an instrumentalist.This eighty-six minute film is the most diverse portrait yet of Louis Armstrong.

With over a dozen of his classic performances ranging from 1932 to the late sixties, Satchmo includes excerpts from Pennies From Heaven, Betty Boop cartoon, Atlantic City, Going Places, Jam Session, New Orleans with Billie Holiday, High Society with Bing Crosby, and Hello Dolly with Barbra Streisand.The film also includes numerous live concert appearances with Dizzy Gillespie, Jack Teagarden, and the All Stars and the world tour that took him to Africa in 1956.

Never-before-seen home movies and newly discovered 1935 Chicago nightclub footage add to making this a most intimate and loving look at Louis Armstrong.

On-camera interviewees are: Arvell Shaw, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Dexter Gordon, Dave Brubeck, Iola Brubeck, Lester Bowie, Milt Gabler, George Avakian, Milt Hinton, Bud Freeman, Marty Napolean, Joe Muranyi, Doc Cheatham, Barrett Deems, and Zilner Randolph.

The soundtrack features classic digitally remastered Columbia Records and original Okeh master recordings, including the groundbreaking "West End Blues," "Potato Head Blues," "Heebie Jeebies," and "Weather Bird."Also included are "Struttin' With Some Barbeque," "Blue Turning Grey," "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," "When You're Smiling," "Mack The Knife," "What A Wonderful World," and many more.