What was Louis Armstrong’s favorite food?

FAQ • February 14, 2017

While Louis enjoyed many different kinds of foods and dishes, he seemed to be especially fond of red beans & rice. Sometimes he even signed his letters “Red Beans & […]

When is Louis Armstrong’s birthday?

FAQ • February 14, 2017

Louis himself believed that he was born on July 4th, 1900 and that date is still found in many jazz histories and reference books. In the mid-1980s, Armstrong expert Tad […]

Could Louis Armstrong read music?

FAQ • February 14, 2017

Yes. Louis first learned to read music in the Waif’s Home at about age twelve. When he joined the Fate Marable Band as a teenager, he greatly improved his reading. […]

Did Louis Armstrong have any children?

FAQ • February 14, 2017

Louis was married four times but his marriages never produced any children. Louis loved children! The neighbors still recall that when Louis returned from a trip, children would gather around […]

Is Louis’s name pronounced “Lewis” or “Louie?”

FAQ • February 14, 2017

Judging from home recorded tapes now in our Museum Collections, Louis pronounced his own name as “Lewis.” On his 1964 record “Hello, Dolly,” he sings, “This is Lewis, Dolly” but […]

How did Louis Armstrong get the nickname “Satchmo?”

FAQ • January 30, 2017

Louis had many nicknames as a child, all of which referred to the size of his mouth: “Gatemouth,” “Dippermouth,” and “Satchelmouth.” During a visit to Great Britain, Louis was met […]