Louis Armstrong King of Jazz

A unique biography of Louis Armstrong, the greatest of all Jazz musicians. Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and amazingly quick, inventive musical mind still dominate Jazz to this day and only Charlie Parker comes close to having as much influence on the history of Jazz as Louis Armstrong did. One of the first soloists on record, although he was preceded by Sidney Bechet, Louis was more responsible than anyone else for jazz changing from an ensemble-oriented folk music into an art form that emphasized inventive solo improvisations. His relaxed phrasing was a major change from the staccato style of the early '20s, helping set the stage for the swing era, and Armstrong demonstrated that it was possible to have both impressive technique and a strong feeling for the blues.

Tracks include "Salty Dog" by Freddie Keppard's Jazz Cardinals; "Canal Street Blues" and "Dipper Mouth Blues" by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band; "As You Like It" by the Original Tuxedo Junction Jazz Band; "Froggie Moore" by King Oliver's Original Jazz Band; "Cake Walking Babies From Home" by Jazz Union; "Babies St. Louis Blues" by Bessie Smith; "My Heart," "West End Blues" and "Heebie Jeebies" by Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five; "Muskrat Ramble" and "Gully Low Blues" by Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven; "When You're Smiling," "You Rascal You," "Lazy River," "Shine," "All Of Me" and "The Blues Are Brewin'" by Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra; and "Muskrat Ramble," "I'm Crazy About My Baby" and "St. Louis Blues" by Louis Armstrong & His All Stars.

Mixing performance footage and biographical information, this film goes inside the life and music of one of jazz's great innovators. Louis Armstrong, with his breathtaking technique and joyful improvisations, changed jazz music, pushing the style away from large ensembles and towards the genius of individual solos.