Nickname: "Satchmo"
Genre: Jazz / Pop
Most Memorable Recording: "What A Wonderful World"
Followers: Thomas Heflin, E Rick Rinaldi, Nathan Eklund, Sophie Milman, Matt Collar, Bobby Henderson, Thomas Gray, Floyd Campbell, Sam Wooding & His Orchestra, Sean Jones, Roberta Gambarini, Kenny Baker, Joe Hayman, The New Orleans Feetwarmers, Duke Heitger, Spirits of Rhythm, Ruben Rada, Ish Kabibble, Jeremy Davenport, Wendell Brunious, Snooky Young, Bob Wills, Terell Stafford, Cynthia Sayer, Nicholas Payton, Hot Lips Page, Wynton Marsalis, Dusko Goykovich, Gil Evans, Tommy Dorsey, Fats Domino, Magic Dick, Doc Cheatham, Billie Holiday, Benny Carter, Bix Beiderbecke, Kermit Ruffins, Paul deLay, The Original Salty Dogs, Wild Bill Davison, Coleman Hawkins, Howard McGhee, Pamela Polland, Clifford Hayes, Phil Wilson, Wadada Leo Smith, Khan Jamal, Alvin Alcorn, Jabbo Smith, Cootie Williams, Jack Walrath, Ross Tompkins, Cecil Taylor, John Stevens, Muggsy Spanier, Bob Scobey, Django Reinhardt, Enrico Rava, Joe Newman, Roscoe Mitchell, Lee Konitz, Jonah Jones, Harry James, Art Hodes, Terumasa Hino, Earl Hines, Erskine Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Stéphane Grappelli, Don Goldie, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Jon Faddis, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Miles Davis, Kenny Davern, Bill Coleman, Buck Clayton, Clifford Brown, Ruby Braff, Lester Bowie, Bill Berry, Bunny Berigan, Charlie Barnet, Henry "Red" Allen, Tom Waits, Hoagy Carmichael, Nina Simone, Louis Prima, Harry Connick, Jr., Lonnie Johnson
"The Reverend Satchelmouth is the beginning and the end of music in America." So said Bing Crosby and how right he was because Armstrong is the single most important figure in twentieth century popular music. If there's an artist who wasn't directly influenced by his astounding improvisations, and most importantly, his phrasing, then he was influenced by those who were. Armstrong did more with time, nuance, and personality than whole armies of musicians. But forget about influencing others -- if his music doesn't fill you with tingles of joy and delight then you just may be dead. And don't fret if you are six feet under; Pops will be serenading you in heaven. For how can there be a heaven without Louis?
