Books, Arts & Manners: King Louis

IF THERE was ever one man who embodied the best and most of jazz, it was Louis Armstrong. Every jazz musician during Armstrong’s lifetime was influenced by him in phrasing, improvisation, melodic invention, or a moving and lifting beat. Coleman Hawkins was a routine

player with a big tone until—like the other musicians who had heard Armstrong on his great Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings and then welcomed him to Harlem—the Armstrong inspiration seized him. Listen very closely to one of the greatest jazz drummers—Sid Catlett, who could build up the tension and the swing in a small band or a large one—and you will understand how he got his beautiful sense of the push-and-tug of the syncope from the young Satchelmouth. Contemplate the economy of the trumpet-style piano that Earl Hines developed, and compare his playing to that of the other sidemen in early bands.

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Ralph de Toledano

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IF THERE was ever one man who embodied the best and most of jazz, it was Louis Armstrong. Every jazz musician during Armstrong’s lifetime was influenced by him in phrasing, improvisation, melodic invention, or a moving and lifting beat. Coleman Hawkins was a routine

player with a big tone until—like the other musicians who had heard Armstrong on his great Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings and then welcomed him to Harlem—the Armstrong inspiration seized him. Listen very closely to one of the greatest jazz drummers—Sid Catlett, who could build up the tension and the swing in a small band or a large one—and you will understand how he got his beautiful sense of the push-and-tug of the syncope from the young Satchelmouth. Contemplate the economy of the trumpet-style piano that Earl Hines developed, and compare his playing to that of the other sidemen in early bands.