[Dixielandjazz] Armstrong in long tie and different suits?

[Stephen Barbone]

Stan Brager wrote:

> The problem with the Town Hall concert in 1947 is that it was NOT the
> Armstrong band...yet. It was more of a jam session with Armstrong being the
> leader. It was an experiment to try to boost the sagging career of
> Armstrong and, more importantly, to return him to the public as the leader
> of a small jazz band.
>
> The whole affair was the brainchild of Ernest Anderson who had to convince
> Armstrong's manager Joe Glaser to let Louis do the gig.
>
> All the participants were hired for that evening (May 17, 1947) only, so I
> doubt that band uniforms were paid for. They dressed in suits and ties
> which were standard fair for jazz musicians at that time for that
> engagement.
>
> All who were contracted for the evening showed up except for Sidney Bechet.

Yes, very true, but it was advertised as "The Armstrong All Stars."  Louis
fronted the band, he called the tunes on the spot which accounts for a couple
of fluffs in the performance. Glaser, at the time, thought Louis should be
working in big bands, not small groups. The standard fee for the Louis' big
band had sunk to $350. Anderson gave Glaser $1000 up front to have Pops front
the gig. Needless to say, with the fluffs and all, it was a sell out at a time
when Pops' big band gigs were not and the historic beginning of a change in
how Louis would perform from then on. The public and the critics loved it,
different suits and all.

Even after Town Hall, Glaser was unconvinced about a small band "All Star"
format, Finally convinced by Anderson and some say, Leonard Feather, he agreed
and started signing others to "long term" contracts. In Teagarden's case, 7
years

Bottom line? Those $350 fees for the big band turned into $4000 fees for the
small band All Stars that first year. And more later. In any event there are
several existing photos of the All Stars, and of Louis, performing in suits
and long ties from 1947 until he died as well as photos in what appears to be
tuxes and bow ties.

BTW the most notable fluff is pianist Dick Cary playing "Monday Date" after
Louis called "Big Butter and Egg Man." Pops plays it with him for a while to
cover the embarrassment, but then after 19 bars, stepped up to the mike and
announces "Now were going to play some Big Butter and Egg Man." Cary realizes
his error and corrects by going into the correct intro.  Everybody, Louis
included, has a big laugh and they play the right song.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. It was also the beginning of Louis' recording all of his performances, the
tapes of which are part of the memorabilia collection at Queens College in
NYC.