Celebrating the life of Louis Armstrong

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How genuinely pleased and proud would Louis Armstrong be to know that the young men who captivated the revelers at a Celebration of his Life portrayed a performative instinct that typified the power, passion and drama of his very own consummate artistic self-expression. Photo by Francie Scanlon

How genuinely pleased and proud would Louis Armstrong be to know that the young men who captivated the revelers at a Celebration of his Life portrayed a performative instinct that typified the power, passion and drama of his very own consummate artistic self-expression. Photo by Francie Scanlon

By Francie Scanlon

July 6, 2021 marked the half-century anniversary of the transition of Louis Armstrong, who passed in 1971.

It's amazing to reflect how his funeral the following Friday, July 8, 1971, in Corona, Queens witnessed the presence of honorary pallbearers including Mayor Lindsay, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Frank Sinatra. Such was and still is the profundity of his legacy.

Today those gathered for this annual tribute sponsored by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation experienced what the triumphant trumpeter reported in the 1960s concerning his intention about audiences.

Armstrong emphasized that "...he lived for that audience" and surely today's performers delivered big-time by totally aligning with his then stated expectation, "...what you're there for is to please the people".

Photo by Francie Scanlon

Photo by Francie Scanlon

A dog leaps with delight into the air keen to get a closer look at the Armstrong Block Party menu. Photo by Francie Scanlon.

A dog leaps with delight into the air keen to get a closer look at the Armstrong Block Party menu. Photo by Francie Scanlon.