A Tribute to Louis Armstrong

This celebration of the great jazz innovator and much-beloved Satchmo promises to kick off Orchestra Hall's new jazz series in spectacular fashion, while further strengthening the hall's recently burgeoning ties to New Orleans and New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center. The unique program will depict Armstrong's life story in a semi-staged presentation that weaves together music and the narration of jazz historian Phil Schaap. Curator and trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, of the famed Crescent City musical family, has assembled an outstanding lineup featuring the two premier living exponents of Armstrong's spirit: trumpeter Nicholas Payton and trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins, both New Orleans natives who will play different aspects of Armstrong's character. Joining them will be a dream group of jazz all-stars: pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Reginald Veal, drummer Herlin Riley, Victor Goines on reeds, and Twin Cities vocalist Charmin Michelle. Schaap will lead a pre-concert discussion at 6 p.m.
Thu., April 17, 7:30 p.m., 2008