Louis Armstrong: Satchmo

DVD, 87 minutes, SONY

"Satchmo." There are few people in this country - or around the world - who will not recognize that name. Louis Armstrong embodied twentieth-century American culture. He revolutionized the world of music and became one of the nation's most influential entertainers. No other performer of his era had such a profound effect as a singer as well as an instrumentalist. This eight-six minute film is the most diverse portrait yet of Louis Armstrong. With over a dozen of his classic performances ranging from 1932 to the late sixties, "Satchmo" includes excerpts from "Pennies From Heaven", "Betty Boop" cartoon, "Atlantic City", "Going Places", "Jam Session", "New Orleans" with Billy Holiday, "High Society" with Bing Crosby, and "Hello Dolly" with Barbara Streisand. The film also includes numerous live concert and television appearances with Dizzy Gillespie, Jack Teagarden and the All Stars and the world tour that took him to Africa in 1956. Never-before-seen home movies and newly discovered 1935 Chicago nightclub add to making this a most intimate and loving look at Louis Armstrong. On-camera interviewees are: Arvell Shaw, Tony Bennett, Wynton Marsalis, Dexter Gordon, Dave Brubeck, Iola Brubeck, Lester Bowie, Milt Gabler, George Avakian, Milt Hinton, Bud Freeman, Marty Napoleon, Joe Muranyi, Doc Cheatham, Barrett Deems, and Zilner Randolph. The soundtrack features classic digitally remastered Columbia Records and original OKeh master recordings, including the groundbreaking "Weed End Blues", "Potato Head Blues", "Heebie Jeebies", and "Weather Bird". Also included are "Struttin' With Some Barbeque", "Blue Turning Grey", "On The Sunny Side Of The Street", "While You're Smiling", "Mack The Knife", "What A Wonderful World", and many more. Interactive Menus. Gallery of rare memorabilia. Two bonus Audio Tracks.Biographies, Discography.