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March 2018: Louis Armstrong, Bunny Berrigan, and Henry “Red” Allen.
ByMarch’s episodes focus on trumpet-led dates from the 1920s and ‘30s.
Listen to Episode 135
Louie Armstrong wasn't the only trumpeter playing jazz in the twenties and thirties, and in this episode the boys put him into context with discussion of recordings by Bunny Berigan, King Oliver, Henry "Red" Allen, Oscar "Papa" Celestin, and Sam Morgan. The Celestin/Morgan sides are some of the only recorded evidence of Dixieland as played by African American bands in New Orleans in the twenties (most recordings of the period took place in Chicago and New York). Henry "Red" Allen was still in Armstrong's shadow during this period, while "King" Oliver's final recordings show a player in decline soon before he completely lost the ability to play due to dental problems. The most problematic sides are the ones where Bunny Berigan accompanied white performers singing in what Mike describes as the "novelty" style but Pat labels "satanic." The only (vocal) ray of light in these sides comes courtesy of the Boswell Sisters, though Bunny's playing is exemplary throughout. Macy Gray's Stripped comes in for scrutiny in the pop matters segment.
Listen to Episode 136
Thanks for listening and see you next month!
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About Louis Armstrong
Instrument: Trumpet and vocals
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Jazz Bastard
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Henry "Red" Allen
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