Playing for the troops in Florida
1940-1941
Performs in Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Canada.
Performs in Illinois, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Canada.
Louis and Lucille’s wedding day
1942
Films three “soundies” (3-minute films for coin-operated viewing booths) for RCM. Films Cabin in the Sky for MGM. Finalizes divorce from Alpha Smith on October 2nd, and marries Lucille Wilson on October 12th.
Films three “soundies” (3-minute films for coin-operated viewing booths) for RCM. Films Cabin in the Sky for MGM. Finalizes divorce from Alpha Smith on October 2nd, and marries Lucille Wilson on October 12th.
From Louis’s unpublished autobiographical manuscripts
1943
Lucille purchases a house in Corona, Queens, New York City. Louis and Lucille live there for the remainder of their lives. Appears in the motion picture, Jam Session.
Lucille purchases a house in Corona, Queens, New York City. Louis and Lucille live there for the remainder of their lives. Appears in the motion picture, Jam Session.
1944-1946
First Esquire All American Jazz Concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. Appears in motion pictures Atlantic City, Pillow to Post, and New Orleans. Records with Billie Holiday.
First Esquire All American Jazz Concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. Appears in motion pictures Atlantic City, Pillow to Post, and New Orleans. Records with Billie Holiday.
Louis Armstrong and his all Stars in the late 1940s
1947
Performs at Carnegie Hall with his big band and with a small group. Appears at Town Hall (New York City) with a small group. Breaks up the big band and forms a septet, Louis Armstrong and the All Stars. The All Stars debut at Billy Berg’s Club in Hollywood on August 13th.
Performs at Carnegie Hall with his big band and with a small group. Appears at Town Hall (New York City) with a small group. Breaks up the big band and forms a septet, Louis Armstrong and the All Stars. The All Stars debut at Billy Berg’s Club in Hollywood on August 13th.
1948
Appears at the Nice Jazz Festival, the first international jazz festival. Performs at Carnegie Hall. Makes his television debut on one of the first television broadcasts; the show is called Toast of the Town (later to be known as the EdSullivan Show). There would be many more television appearances to come.
Appears at the Nice Jazz Festival, the first international jazz festival. Performs at Carnegie Hall. Makes his television debut on one of the first television broadcasts; the show is called Toast of the Town (later to be known as the EdSullivan Show). There would be many more television appearances to come.
Louis (seated, center) as the King of the Zulus
1949
Appears on the cover of Time magazine. Returns to New Orleans to be King of the Zulus at Mardi Gras. Performs in Switzerland, Italy, and France. Private audience with Pope Pius XII.