Now You Has Jazz (Remastered)

All About Jazz 4 out of 5

Was Louis Armstrong more an entertainer or artist? The dichotomy suggested by this question won’t be resolved by this disc because it’s a matter of perspective, like particles and waves in physics.

Most of this music was recorded live in 1962, three years after he had suffered a heart attack. Since Armstrong and his All Stars (including trombonist Trummy Young) were in tight yet loose form, we owe a debt of gratitude to the relaunched Storyville label for presenting this in high fidelity. Armstrong’s trumpet playing is so vibrant that some listeners may be stunned. This is late period Satchmo whose wailin’ swing beamed from his throne.

By way of the towering majesty of his refined musical conception, the many-splendored nuances of his emotional eloquence, and the spiritual depths of his humanity, Louis Armstrong integrated and balanced art and entertainment, bringing love and joy through his soaring horn and gravelly voice to countless millions.

Check out this recording and you’ll count yourself in that number.

Greg Thomas