Satchmo: The Louis Armstrong Encyclopedia

(Hardback)

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Description

The definitive reference work on the father of jazz, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong When pressed to name the most influential musician of the 20th century, many music historians will name Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Born in New Orleans in 1901 and recording into the 1970s, Armstrong is known as the father of jazz, the one figure most credited with moving the Western world from the age of classical music and Tin Pan Alley pop standards into an exciting new era of swing and hot jazz. Michael Meckna's book is the authoritative reference work on Armstrong. The book is divided into two alphabetical sections: Satchmo's Life and Music, and Satchmo on CD. The entries for each compact disc include record company, date of issue, a song list, and a list of performers. Appendices provide a chronology, movie list, and resources to research Satchmo on the Web, and a bibliography offers yet another useful tool for fans and students of Armstrong's life and music. Includes 12 historic black-and-white photos. Sample entries from Satchmo's Life: "Ba-Ba-Bo-ZET!" ; Back o' Town; Bailey, Buster; Bailey, Calvin; Bailey, Pearl (May); Baker, Josephine; Balanchine, George; Baldwin, James; Bankhead, Tallulah; Baraka, Amiri. Sample entries from Satchmo's Music: "Accentuate the Positive"; "Adam and Eve Had the Blues"; "After You've Gone"; "Ain't It the Truth"; "Ain't Misbehavin'"; "Alabamy Bound"; "Alexander's Rag Time Band"; "Alligator Crawl." A guide to arguably the most influential figure in 20th-century American music The first reference guide to Armstrong's life and music

Reviews

"This encyclopedia is a comprehensive compendium of the life and work of one of the most influential and pervasive jazz entertainers of the twentieth century....[t]he only reference source focused solely on the legendary jazz trumpeter. Biographies on Armstrong abound, but Satchmo should become the premier quick-access source for information on his style, legacy, critical reception, films, writings, and recordings....[t]his is an excellent resource academic and large public libraries."-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
[B]ring[s] together all the current knowledge of the man and his music.-Reference Reviews
[T]his book has some useful features and is the first encyclopedia devoted to Armstrong.-Library Journal
[T]his is the first encyclopedia devoted solely to the "Founding Father of Jazz." Meckna's authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia covers such topics as Armstrong's musical and personal life, his influence, his musical associates, and recordings....[s]cholars of music or American history will find much useful information in this encyclopedia....Libraries supporting study of jazz or 20th-century American history should acquire this work. Highly recommended. All levels.-Choice
This encyclopedia is a comprehensive compendium of the life and work of one of the most influential and pervasive jazz entertainers of the twentieth century....[t]he only reference source focused solely on the legendary jazz trumpeter. Biographies on Armstrong abound, but Satchmo should become the premier quick-access source for information on his style, legacy, critical reception, films, writings, and recordings....[t]his is an excellent resource academic and large public libraries.-Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
"Brings together all the current knowledge of the man and his music."-Reference Reviews
"This book has some useful features and is the first encyclopedia devoted to Armstrong."-Library Journal
"This is the first encyclopedia devoted solely to the "Founding Father of Jazz." Meckna's authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia covers such topics as Armstrong's musical and personal life, his influence, his musical associates, and recordings....scholars of music or American history will find much useful information in this encyclopedia....Libraries supporting study of jazz or 20th-century American history should acquire this work. Highly recommended. All levels."-Choice
"[B]ring[s] together all the current knowledge of the man and his music."-Reference Reviews
"[T]his book has some useful features and is the first encyclopedia devoted to Armstrong."-Library Journal
"[T]his is the first encyclopedia devoted solely to the "Founding Father of Jazz." Meckna's authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia covers such topics as Armstrong's musical and personal life, his influence, his musical associates, and recordings....[s]cholars of music or American history will find much useful information in this encyclopedia....Libraries supporting study of jazz or 20th-century American history should acquire this work. Highly recommended. All levels."-Choice

Author Bio

MICHAEL MECKNA is Professor of Music History at Texas Christian University. He is the author of Twentieth-Century Brass Soloists (Greenwood, 1994).