Satchmo

When pressed to name the most influential musician of the 20th century, many music historians will name Louis Satchmo Armstrong. Born in New Orleans in 1901 and recording into the 1970s, Armstrong is known as the father of jazz, the one figure most credited with moving the Western world from the age of classical music and Tin Pan Alley pop standards into an exciting new era of swing and hot jazz. Michael Meckna's book is the authoritative reference on Armstrong. Alphabetically arranged entries give detailed information on the many aspects of Armstrong's life and music. An appendix of CD releases includes entries that detail the record company, date of issue, song list, and performer list. Other appendices include a chronology, a list of movies, and a resource guide to Satchmo on the Web; a bibliography offers yet another useful tool for fans and students of Armstrong's life and music. A selection of historic black-and-white photos completes the volume.

"[T]his is the first encyclopedia devoted solely to the Founding Father of Jazz. Meckna's authoritative and comprehensive encyclopedia covers such topics as Armstrong's musical and personal life, his influence, his musical associates, and recordings....[s]cholars of music or American history will find much useful information in this encyclopedia....Libraries supporting study of jazz or 20th-century American history should acquire this work. Highly recommended. All levels." - Choice, "[T]his book has some useful features and is the first encyclopedia devoted to Armstrong." - Library Journal, "[B]ring[s] together all the current knowledge of the man and his music." - Reference Reviews, "This encyclopedia is a comprehensive compendium of the life and work of one of the most influential and pervasive jazz entertainers of the twentieth century....[t]he only reference source focused solely on the legendary jazz trumpeter. Biographies on Armstrong abound, but Satchmo should become the premier quick-access source for information on his style, legacy, critical reception, films, writings, and recordings....[t]his is an excellent resource academic and large public libraries." - Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

MICHAEL MECKNA is Professor of Music History at Texas Christian University. He is also the author of Twentieth-Century Brass Soloists (Greenwood, 1994).