Ricky Riccardi

Either one or the other, exactly. But there was also something about Armstrong where I just think his natural personality, his showmanship, his mugging, his way of putting over a song, especially when he got to New York. I think the Henderson and the men in his band, which kind of fancy themselves as musicians,

Either one or the other, exactly. But there was also something about Armstrong where I just think his natural personality, his showmanship, his mugging, his way of putting over a song, especially when he got to New York. I think the Henderson and the men in his band, which kind of fancy themselves as musicians,

Either one or the other, exactly. But there was also something about Armstrong where I just think his natural personality, his showmanship, his mugging, his way of putting over a song, especially when he got to New York. I think the Henderson and the men in his band, which kind of fancy themselves as musicians,

You know, Harlem Renaissance intellectuals, they kind of look down at that kind of Southern fried performing style. And so Armstrong, he for the rest of his life, he always said Henderson had a million dollar talent in his band, but he missed the boat. And I even called one of the chapters in the book Blessed Assurance, because I think before anybody else, Armstrong was confident.

You know, Harlem Renaissance intellectuals, they kind of look down at that kind of Southern fried performing style. And so Armstrong, he for the rest of his life, he always said Henderson had a million dollar talent in his band, but he missed the boat. And I even called one of the chapters in the book Blessed Assurance, because I think before anybody else, Armstrong was confident.

You know, Harlem Renaissance intellectuals, they kind of look down at that kind of Southern fried performing style. And so Armstrong, he for the rest of his life, he always said Henderson had a million dollar talent in his band, but he missed the boat. And I even called one of the chapters in the book Blessed Assurance, because I think before anybody else, Armstrong was confident.

in his abilities as a vocalist. He knew it was different and he knew if he only got the chance, you know, people would respond. And here we are, you know, in 2025, what a wonderful world just went, you know, certified double platinum in 2024 of a record where he doesn't even play a note of trumpet. So once again, you know, Armstrong kind of has the last laugh.

in his abilities as a vocalist. He knew it was different and he knew if he only got the chance, you know, people would respond. And here we are, you know, in 2025, what a wonderful world just went, you know, certified double platinum in 2024 of a record where he doesn't even play a note of trumpet. So once again, you know, Armstrong kind of has the last laugh.

in his abilities as a vocalist. He knew it was different and he knew if he only got the chance, you know, people would respond. And here we are, you know, in 2025, what a wonderful world just went, you know, certified double platinum in 2024 of a record where he doesn't even play a note of trumpet. So once again, you know, Armstrong kind of has the last laugh.

He just needed that opportunity to let people hear that distinctive voice of his.

He just needed that opportunity to let people hear that distinctive voice of his.

He just needed that opportunity to let people hear that distinctive voice of his.

Another point that he always wanted to stress, you know, because people would say, oh, you know, the trumpet player, that's the genius. You know, the guy singing and that's kind of he's just doing that, you know, just to commercialize himself and put these songs over. But no, I have a quote from Arvel Shaw. I said that if Armstrong never picked up the trumpet, he would have been a singer.

Another point that he always wanted to stress, you know, because people would say, oh, you know, the trumpet player, that's the genius. You know, the guy singing and that's kind of he's just doing that, you know, just to commercialize himself and put these songs over. But no, I have a quote from Arvel Shaw. I said that if Armstrong never picked up the trumpet, he would have been a singer.

Another point that he always wanted to stress, you know, because people would say, oh, you know, the trumpet player, that's the genius. You know, the guy singing and that's kind of he's just doing that, you know, just to commercialize himself and put these songs over. But no, I have a quote from Arvel Shaw. I said that if Armstrong never picked up the trumpet, he would have been a singer.

You know, singing was in his blood more than the trumpet. And it was his real first musical foray in New Orleans before he ever picked up a cornet.

You know, singing was in his blood more than the trumpet. And it was his real first musical foray in New Orleans before he ever picked up a cornet.

You know, singing was in his blood more than the trumpet. And it was his real first musical foray in New Orleans before he ever picked up a cornet.

So Armstrong was born in 1901. I won't get into the whole birthday debate. You know, I believe he was born July 4th, 1901, but for reasons that are explained in the book. But either way, he's born 1901, spends his first few years living with his grandmother. But then around the age of five, he moves to the third ward. Liberty and Perdido streets.

So Armstrong was born in 1901. I won't get into the whole birthday debate. You know, I believe he was born July 4th, 1901, but for reasons that are explained in the book. But either way, he's born 1901, spends his first few years living with his grandmother. But then around the age of five, he moves to the third ward. Liberty and Perdido streets.