The result is a positive and mature tribute to Satchmo that radiates the power, humor, warmth and spirit of Armstrong's music...

Although Louis Armstrong did not invent jazz, he shaped its language in such an extensive way that it would be hard to imagine how jazz might have developed without him. There is not a single jazz musician today who does not make daily use of something invented by Louis Armstrong. Yet 'Satchmo' (as he was called with affection by his many admirers) did not only change the music but American society as a whole. He was the first to break many race borders in diverse parts and aspects of American life - thus becoming a symbol of the American century everywhere in the world: Ambassador Satch. In Dizzy Gillespie's words: 'If it weren't for him, there wouldn't be any of us.'

On the occasion of Louis Armstrong's upcoming 100th birthday (on August 4, 2001, not - as many still claim - on July 4, 2000), living trumpet legend Benny Bailey delivers an outstanding and refreshingly relaxed tribute to Satchmo's legacy. 'It was the young Satchmo who was to lead the way out of darkness to a radiant new world,' says Bailey. 'He had the magic, he had all the answers, and it came with such effortless ease. I came up at the time when Dizzy and Bird were all the rage. But Pops still knocked me out.' One of the last great trumpet giants and an original stylist, Benny Bailey started as a sideman with the orchestras of Jay McShann, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton back in the forties. Since half a century he has been living and working mostly in Europe playing with such as Quincy Jones, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Eddie Harris, Sarah Vaughan, and Les McCann. For his latest recording, 75-year-old Bailey joined some of the most tasteful and versatile players in the traditional vein like ex-Goodman veterans John Bunch (79 years) and Bucky Pizzarelli (74 years). The result is a positive and mature tribute to Satchmo that radiates the power, humor, warmth and spirit of Armstrong's music without imitating his recordings...
Benny.

Additional Details

Label: Enja Records

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 50 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 01/01/19

UPC: 063757940722