News, always welcome, from the Louis Armstrong House Museum. I know that July 4, 1900, has been disproven as Louis’s actual birthdate — in some inspired, diligent sleuthing — but I don’t particularly care. Louis thought it was his birthday, and that’s always been enough reason for me to celebrate, especially since I am past the age of getting excited as cherry bombs and M-14s turn the night air into Armageddon.
First, the famous picture: Louis with the kids. Our eyes are drawn, of course, to the fellow on the right with his plastic trumpet, following the Master’s lead. But I am intrigued by the child in the center, who doesn’t have a trumpet (it seems unfortunate that there weren’t dozens to go around, so that Louis could have had his own Corona Brass Band of kids in the street) — notice how earnestly he’s practicing his embouchure until the day that he can get a horn and swing out. I hope he did. His eyes gleam as brightly as Louis’s do — a good sign.
There will be many events celebrating Louis’s life and music (as if the two could be separated) courtesy of the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens. You haven’t been there yet? Chaucer’s pilgrims had Canterbury: the LAHM is easier to get to and I am sure it’s more fun. There will be a scat-singing lesson, a concert by the Red Hook Ramblers, a presentation on Louis’s collages by the esteemed Deslyn Dyer, a tour of the house (don’t forget to admire the turquoise kitchen!).
AND there’s cake. We won’t be there, but cake freezes very well.
Here’s the link to the schedule: https://webmail.optimum.net/attach/LAHM%20July%204%20Events%20Listing.doc?sid=&mbox=INBOX&charset=escaped_unicode&uid=20333&number=4&filename=LAHM%20July%204%20Events%20Listing.doc
Happy Birthday in advance to Mr. Strong!
Well – it’s just awesome luck that Lucille Armstrong left the house and contents to the city, the city didn’t know what to do with it so they gave it to Queens, which ditto, so they gave it to Queens College — and QUEENS COLLEGE KNEW WHAT TO DO WITH IT !! They built into the new library a temperature and humidity controlled archive for the contents of the house, searched for such a right curator (Michael Cogswell) that I still can’t believe it…
I went out there on another errand in ca. 1996. The Dean of music said “I think you’d like to meet Michael Cogswell”, called him, sent me over to the library – and Michael was unpacking the very first boxes of treasures. I think the Armstrongs never threw anything away. You know the rest. GO – the House AND the Archive. You’ll never forget it and THNX to JzLvs for flagging this blessed event…sam p