WEST END BLOG

Louis Armstrong has one of the world’s most recognizable voices. To many, his raspy voice is iconic, marvelous, beautiful, incredible, and timeless. After reading comments left in the “comment section” […]

“the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness, And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream. And that that which sings and contemplates in you is […]

In 2013, Sony Music representatives announced their intentions to relaunch OKeh Records as the primary jazz imprint of the company’s Sony Masterworks. According to Sony Music, OKeh of the twenty-first […]

“On Being Black” Tatjana Lightbourn “What did I do to be so black and blue?” sings Louis Armstrong in my earphones as I sit on the stoop of my Brooklyn […]

We value archives because we value the life that preceded them. But artists are not perfectly self-aware, and they owe neither us, nor posterity, an explanation for what they value […]

“A Cat’s Tale” Tatjana Lightbourn How would you define a cat? Is the definition of a cat even relevant to you and how you define the story of your life? In […]

When people say “you learn something new every day” that statement should not be taken lightly. Throughout my time at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives I have learned […]

Few musicians can be synonymous with a style of music such as Louis is to jazz and, still shock and astonish listeners many decades after his passing. The music that […]

Summertime, an’ the livin’ is easy  Fish are jumpin’ an’ the cotton is high. Oh, yo’ daddy’s rich and yo’ ma is good-lookin’ So hush, little baby, don’ you cry. […]

To Louis Armstrong, family meant everything. From his band members to his actual family members, those who were close to Louis experienced his warmth and generosity. It did not matter […]