Louis Armstrong Celebration Day

Digby Fairweather presentation:

Louis Armstrong: ‘The Shakespeare of Jazz’

12 Midday - 2 PM

Digby Fairweather has regarded Louis Armstrong as ‘the Shakespeare of Jazz’ ever since he heard Louis’ recording of Back’o’Town Blues at a neighbour’s home in 1959. Over the years he heard Louis and his All Stars live on five occasions in Britain; collected every one of his recordings and remains in regular touch with his close friend Ricky Riccardi who heads up the Louis Armstrong Foundation in New York. In this talk – first delivered to the Leeds Education Jazz Conference ten years ago, Digby discusses Armstrong as musician and human-being, plays some of his greatest recordings and talks about visits to Louis’ home in Corona (now a public monument); the bibliography – good and bad – about Louis, and invites discussion over the theories of Armstrong as a super-nova!

Enrico Tomasso: Salute to Satchmo!

With Tim Huskisson (Piano)

2 PM - 4 PM

One of today's finest trumpeters, Enrico Tomasso, started playing the trumpet at the age of five. His biggest inspiration was Louis Armstrong whom he met and played for at the age of seven during Louis' visit to Britain in 1968. This led to correspondence and friendship until Louis' death. Rico has regularly performed his ‘Salute to Satchmo’ tribute and will bring all of Louis’  musical ambience and trademark joie de vivre to the Jazz Centre.

Tickets are available separately for each event or together as a single purchase.