Happy 100th Birthday, Louis

Louis Armstrong, probably the single most important person in the music of the 20th century. Born 4 August 1901 in Back of Town New Orleans, child of a teenage prostitute, at his death in 1971 it was said that his voice and image were recognized by more people than anyone else on earth. Armstrong never saw any conflict between the categories of "serious jazz musician" and "entertainter".

Yesterday the Mayor renamed the New Orleans International Airport for Armstrong. A nice sentiment, but it might have been more appropriate to honor him by reopening the Storyville red-light district, or relegalizing reefer and handing out commemorative "Louis Armstrong Special Cigars". Or, more realistically, designating some of the few remaining buildings in New Orleans where he played in his youth historical landmarks (like the Eagle Hall and Iroquois Theater on Rampart Street and the old Tulane Gym building).

I'm posting this a day early because I'll probably be too busy to do so on the 4th. Part of the celebrations here in New Orleans is a conference on Armstrong's life and music (with participants from all over the world). I'm there wearing one of the nametags reading "Speaker", but since my main role is presenting some of Armstrong's classic recordings, it might be more appropriate to designate me "Turntable".