Celebrating the life of Louis Armstrong
/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".
Corona block party celebrates Satchmo and Queens’ jazz history
/An annual block party hosted by the Louis Armstrong House Museum will introduce visitors to the “wonderful world” of Corona.
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