The Hidden Talents of Louis Armstrong

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

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Jazz legend Louis Armstrong often passed the time on the road with an unusual hobby: creating collages. As we find out today, he made some 500 of them, many of which documented his creative and partying lifestyle. Also on the show: the band BLK JKS, from Johannesburg, South Africa, have a remarkable story, told through their new four-song EP, "Mystery." They perform live.

Armstrong: jazz genius and collage artist

Trumpet player and singer Louis Armstrong is considered by some as the most important American musician of the 20th century. But besides music, he created some 500 collages on recording tape boxes, documenting a life full of creativity and wild parties. His artworks are now in the book Satchmo: The ...

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Soundcheck's Picks of the Week

Three outstanding new releases as picked by the Soundcheck staff. Read full reviews here.

India – several artists (Putumayo) - picked by Gisele Regatao

Till Felner – Bach Two and Three-Part Inventions (ECM) – Picked by Brian Wise

Bell Orchestre, As Seen Through Windows (Arts & Crafts) ...

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BLK JKS Live

The South African rock band BLK JKS grew out of a childhood friendship in a Johannesburg neighborhood and became a guitar-fueled journey into American indie-rock. The band talks about the road to their new “Mystery” EP, and they perform live in our studio.

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Louis Armstrong, we hardly knew ya

By John Schaefer

As a kid, I thought Louis Armstrong was hopelessly old-fashioned. Because of course all I knew were songs like "Hello Dolly," which were hopelessly old-fashioned. I knew nothing of the critical role he played in the development of jazz, or his complex and sometimes dark relationships with women, racism, and ...

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Picks of the Week: An India compilation, some Mellow Bach, and Chamber Rock

Three outstanding new releases as picked by our staff.

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India – Putumayo (several artists)

One sweats a lot to Indian music these days – in clubs, or gyms, where Bollywood-dance classes pop to the sound of Slumdog Millionaire. ...

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