Masters of American Music: Satchmo (DVD)

Label : Medici Arts
Limited Edition in special packaging!

This 1989 DVD achieves the virtually impossible task of compressing Louis Armstrong's career into about 86 minutes. Its excellence is probably due at least partly to jazz expert Gary Giddins, who wrote and co-directed the film.

The DVD covers the life of a man whose childhood in New Orleans was marked by poverty and a period in a waifs' home - as well as facing for most of his life the indignities of racism which was then sadly common in the USA. He overcame these problems with determination and an almost unflagging good humour.
The DVD traces how the 65 recordings that Louis Armstrong (alias "Satchmo") made with his Hot Five and Hot Seven changed the face of jazz". Louis was very strong on rhythm", says All Stars' clarinettist Joe Muranyi. This is exemplified by his extraordinary introduction to West End Blues, which is usefully shown on screen in musical notation as we hear Armstrong play it.

The story is illustrated throughout by well-chosen film footage, which is remarkably clear and fresh. The early film clips include Louis singing and playing Ain't Misbehavin' - as he did to great acclaim in the 1929 Broadway show Hot Choclates. Satchmo even appears in a Betty Boop cartoon singing I'll be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You. Other film includes a lovely duet between Armstrong and Jack Teagarden on Rockin' Chair and a friendly trumpet battle with Dizzy Gillespie. And film of him playing Sunny Side of the Street with his All Stars proves his astonishing trumpet virtuosity.

1. Opening
2. A New Kind of Music
3. The Early Years
4. Achieving Stardom
5. Lady Armstrong
6. Ambassador Satch
7. A True revolutionary
8. Credits