Louis Armstrong

Released: January 1, 2000

Songwriter: Nick Kenny Duke Ellington

Drop me off in Harlem
Yea, good ol' Harlem
You have your fun
Under the Harlem sun
So drop me off in Harlem

There's Duke Ellington up in Harlem
He writes all his tunes in Harlem
And old Satchmo's still swingin'
Way up in Harlem

All the cats
Are still up there
They're beatin' out those riffs
And Apollo of Puerto Rico
Will give you a great big lisp

Yes, drop me off in Harlem
Yea man, beautiful Harlem
You get [?]
It's very nice
Way up there in Harlem

Louis Armstrong, known throughout his lengthy career by nicknames like “Satchmo”, “Pops” and simply “Louie”, was a trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor, as well as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.

Born and raised in New Orleans, where jazz itself is alleged to have began, Armstrong started his career in 1918, playing the cornet in brass bands and riverboats along the Mississippi River. There, he caught the attention of his future mentor, King Oliver, joining his band in Chicago, where he networked with other popular jazz musicians like Hoagy Carmichael and his first wife Lil Hardin Armstrong.

In 1924, Louie relocated to New York City playing for the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. It was at this time he switched over from cornet to trumpet in order to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. It was also when he developed his emotional playing style, which included singing and telling tales of his life back in New Orleans.

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Drop Me Off In HarlemLouis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

The Great Summit: The Master Takes