[Dixielandjazz] Louis Armstrong in Berlin, 1965 - NY Times (Robert Ringwald)

[Norman Vickers]

To: DJML

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Thanks to DJML moderator Bob Ringwald for posting the recent NYTimes article
about Louis Armstrong in Berlin.  This is, of course, the 50 th anniversary
of that event.  This gives me an opportunity to put in a plug for Satchmo
Summerfest held annually since Armstrong's actual centennial in 2001.  ( As
most of you know, he had two centennials.  He told listeners that he was
born July 4, 1900.  After his death, because there was no birth certificate
of record, local researchers  discovered baptismal records at the local
Catholic Church.  His mother likely was unchurched but grandmother was
Catholic.  So the baptismal records showed birth date of August 4, 1901.)

Armstrong's State Dept. sponsored trip to Berlin was well covered at some of
the Satchmo Summerfests, including videos in the collection at the Armstrong
House museum.  Author and researcher  Ricki Riccardi does a great job
commenting on his research and the videos.  It is held first weekend in
August each year and presentations are done at the US Mint Museum in the
French Quarter.  There is also associated concerts on the  Museum grounds
but the real treat is inside for the program/lectures.  I was always
impressed with the spectrum of attendees-many international visitors as
well.  Satchmo Summerfest and Armstrong House Museum both have websites
with details of the event.

 

Norman

www.jazzpensacola.com