Louis Armstrong, in His Own Words Selected Writings

This unparalleled collection of Louis Armstrong's candid writings reveals a side of the artist not many people knew. Here are Armstrong's own thoughts on his life and career: from poverty in New Orleans to playing in the famous cafes, cabarets, and saloons of Storyville; from his big break in 1922 with the King Oliver band to his storming of New York; from his breaking of color barriers in Hollywood to the infamous King of the Zulus incident in 1949; and finally, to his last days in Queens, New York. Providing a balanced portrait of his life as a musician, entertainer, civil rights activist, and cultural icon, these writings reveal Armstrong's candid, often controversial, opinions about racism, marijuana, bebop, and other jazz artists such as Jerry Roll Morton and Coleman Hawkins. ... Publisher description.