A biography of the world’s most favourite jazz and blues master, using exclusive new material from the Louis Armstrong archive.
Perhaps America’s greatest musical performer, Louis Armstrong was a character of epic proportions – married four times, with countless romantic involvements in and around his marriages, a life-long advocate of marijuana, who took his music from the streets of New Orleans to Hollywood, Europe, South America and, through his many recordings, the world.
Armstrong was born to the sixteen-year-old daughter of a slave, who took to prostitution to support herself and her child. He spent time in reform school (where he first learned to play the bugle) and for a while earned his living as a pimp before starting to play jazz in the red-light district of New Orleans.
He fought against prejudice, the Depression and the gangster-run music business of Chicago to become one of the most prominent and celebrated black men of his generation (he was the first black man to have his own radio show) and one of the most successful and popular jazz musicians of all time.
Laurence Bergreen has had access to an incredible archive of Armstrong’s writings, recordings, photographs and personal papers.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
‘meticulously researched, vibrant biography... has the potential to become the definitive word on his life and remarkable career... .an epic American story, told with great warmth, skill and understanding.’
Publishers’
Weekly
Louis Armstrong was a character of epic proportions. Raised on the streets of New Orleans, he spent time in reform school and as a pimp before starting to play the cornet in the city's bordellos and night-clubs. A dazzling and groundbreaking musician, composer and singer, he took jazz from its roots in New Orleans to the world and helped create the jazz age.
Married four times, with countless other romantic involvements, a life long believer in marijuana and an accomplished storyteller and correspondent, Armstrong chronicled his life experiences, creating an extraordinary hitherto unexplored archive. These intimate personal records reveal in vivid detail a man of passion and political belief, courage, humour and genius.
'You could wish for no better tool than this book to help understand the man's improbable life'
THE GUARDIAN
‘It's all there: The proselytising, the marijuana and laxatives, the woman, the protective mask and, as far as possible, the face behind it’
GEORGE MELLY, 'The Sunday Telegraph'
'An excellent biography'
TIME OUT
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Louis Armstrong was a character of epic proportions - married four times, with countless romantic involvements in and around his marriages, a life-long advocate of marijuana, who took his music from the streets of New Orleans to Hollywood, Europe, South America and, through his many recordings, the world. Armstrong was born to the sixteen-year-old daughter of a slave, who took to prostitution to support herself and her child. He spent time in reform school (where he first learned to play the bugle) and for a while earned his living as a pimp before starting to play jazz in the red-light district of New Orleans. Armstrong fought against prejudice, the depression and the gangster-run music business of Chicago to become one of the most prominent black men of his generation and one of the most successful jazz musicians of all time. Laurence Bergreen tells his story. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001390474
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