Louis Armstrong's Struttin': A Rare Glimpse into Jazz History
In the world of jazz, some of the most significant recordings are those that remain hidden for decades. Struttin' is a prime example—a studio album featuring the legendary Louis Armstrong and Edmond Hall's All Stars. Though the music was captured during a live performance in 1947, it remained unreleased until March 19, 1996, arriving twenty-five years after Armstrong's passing in 1971.
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The Historic Carnegie Hall Performance
The recordings on Struttin' originate from a concert held at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 8, 1947. This event marked a pivotal moment in Armstrong's career, as it represented his first major appearance with a small group in nearly twenty years.
The ensemble, known as Edmond Hall's All Stars, provided a tight, energetic backdrop for Armstrong's trumpet. The group consisted of a talented lineup of musicians:
- Edmond Hall: Clarinet
- "Mousie" Randolph: Trumpet
- Henderson Chambers: Trombone
- Ellis Larkins: Piano
- Johnny Williams: Bass
- Jimmy Crawford: Drums
This experience proved to be a catalyst for Armstrong. By the end of 1947, inspired by the success of this small-group format, he dissolved his big band to form his own combo, also named the All-Stars. Many of the songs performed during the Carnegie Hall set were subsequently adapted into the new group's regular repertoire.
Key Facts
- Recording Date: February 8, 1947.
- Release Date: March 19, 1996.
- Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York City.
- Genres: Jazz, Dixieland (a style of early New Orleans jazz), and Swing.
- Label: Drive Archive.
- Significance: Armstrong's first major small-group appearance in nearly two decades.
Album Reception and Content
Critics have noted that while the technical quality of the recording is primitive, the historical value of the music far outweighs the audio limitations. AllMusic highlighted that the historical import of these performances overshadows the technical problems associated with the disc's sound quality.
The album features a diverse set of tracks that showcase the interplay between the musicians and Armstrong's virtuosic trumpet playing.
| Track No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dippermouth Blues | 2:08 |
| 2 | Mahogany Hall Stomp | 2:48 |
| 3 | Muskrat Ramble | 2:19 |
| 4 | St. Louis Blues | 2:48 |
| 5 | Rockin' Chair | 4:29 |
| 6 | Tiger Rag | 4:28 |
| 7 | Black and Blue | 3:58 |
| 8 | Confessin' | 4:07 |
| 9 | Struttin' With Some Barbeque | 1:43 |
| 10 | Lazy River | 3:17 |
| 11 | You Rascal You | 3:18 |
| 12 | Save It Pretty Mama | 2:49 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Struttin' recorded and released?
The album was recorded on February 8, 1947, but it was not released until March 19, 1996.
Who performed with Louis Armstrong on this album?
Armstrong performed with Edmond Hall's All Stars, which included Edmond Hall (clarinet), "Mousie" Randolph (trumpet), Henderson Chambers (trombone), Ellis Larkins (piano), Johnny Williams (bass), and Jimmy Crawford (drums).
Why is this recording historically significant?
It marked Armstrong's first major appearance with a small group in nearly twenty years and inspired him to dissolve his big band to form his own All-Stars combo later in 1947.
What is the critical consensus on the sound quality?
Reviewers from AllMusic described the sound quality as primitive, but emphasized that the historical importance of the performances is more significant than the technical flaws.
What genres of music are featured on the album?
The album features Jazz, Dixieland, and Swing.