Blog: There Stands the Glass

The First Amendment Lounge at the National Press Club was the jazz capitol of the universe earlier today. Scholars were scheduled to discuss Louis Armstrong's 1971 visit to the institution. A recording of the event was issued this week by Smithsonian Folkways . Even though only five of the release's eleven tracks feature Armstrong and the album's sound quality is sketchy, the rediscovered recording is an important document. I'm certainly better for having heard it. Armstrong sounds vital just five months before his death. In addition to performing fine versions [...]