Louis Armstrong (1901–71) may be the quintessential American musician. A legendary innovator in jazz, he dealt with racism from white audiences and criticism from Black audiences. He created his most important work early in his career before morphing into more of an “entertainer,” yet became an international icon whose popularity transcended genres. Riccardi’s third book on Armstrong, after
What a Wonderful World and
Heart Full of Rhythm, covers the first 28 years of Armstrong’s life. Of the many biographies of Armstrong from the past quarter century, no author may be as well versed in his subject as Riccardi, the director of research collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. The beauty of this book is that it is not an original history but more of a conversational accumulation of information from previous biographies, supported by newly discovered manuscripts and recordings. Though many of the stories have been told before, Armstrong’s discovery of music as a child, his ascent through the ranks of New Orleans bands, and the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings in the 1920s that cemented his legacy continue to inspire.
VERDICT An exceptional conclusion to Riccardi’s brilliant trilogy.