Most Popular

Recent Blog Posts

National Features >

  • Village Voice

    Musto Fabulous!

    Our gossip columnist and noted fashion plate serves up a year's worth of unforgettable images.

    By Michael Musto

  • Phoenix New Times

    Meet the Anti-Christ

    Omar Call makes a pastime out of baiting Christians.

    By Niki D'Andrea

  • Miami New Times

    Hog Huntin'

    Lost art or horrible slaughter? It's all in the eye of the slayer.

    By Natalie O'Neill

  • The Pitch

    A Miscreant's Christmas

    An ex-con's surprising blog celebrates a city's dark places.

    By Justin Kendall

A Tribute to Louis Armstrong

By Rick Mason

Published on April 17, 2008 at 3:20am

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