Ricky Riccardi

Video: Watch Louis Armstrong Sing 5x Platinum Recording of 'What A Wonderful World'

Ahead of the release of the forthcoming live album LOUIS IN LONDON, Louis Armstrong’s legendary track “What a Wonderful World” has been certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA, marking the original recording’s cumulative US sales of more than 5 million since its first release in 1967. To coincide with this milestone moment, Verve Records is releasing the official performance video of the track. Watch the video!

Video: Watch Louis Armstrong Sing 'Hello Dolly' From New Live Recording

Verve Records will be releasing LOUIS IN LONDON, the last great performance by the most influential American musician of all time, Louis Armstrong. Recorded live at the BBC on July 2, 1968 – just weeks after the groundbreaking GRAMMY® Award-winning artist hit the #1 spot on the UK charts with “What A Wonderful World” – the 13-track collection will be released on Friday, July 12. Watch a video from the performance now!

Louis Armstrong's BLACK & BLUES Documentary to Screen at TD James Moody Jazz Festival

Join in for a FREE screening of the critically acclaimed film, Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues, at the TD James Moody Jazz Festival.

Free Screening of LOUIS ARMSTRONG'S BLACK & BLUES Comes to The 12th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival

The 12th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival will present a FREE screening of the Imagine Documentaries and Apple TV+ critically-acclaimed film, Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues, on Wednesday, November 15, 7:00 pm, at The Newark Museum of Art.

Album Review: JUDY GARLAND: THE TWO-A-DAY IS BACK IN TOWN, Brings Our Judy Into Your Living Room Like Never Before

Garland shares… that’s what she does on this album. She was a most generous performer, always giving of herself, and it is really present on these live recordings.

JSP Records to Issue Judy Garland's 1952 NY Palace Closing Night

JSP Records will release Judy Garland: The Two-A-Day Is Back In Town, Closing Night at the Palace, February 24, 1952, Garland's legendary closing night at the Palace in New York after her historic sold-out 19-week run, on October 6, 2023.

Algonquin Reveals 2023-24 Lifelong Learning Lecture Series

Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the return of its popular Lifelong Learning Series for the 2023-2024 season. Algonquin Arts Theatre’s Lifelong Learning lectures cover a wide variety of topics related to the art they present on stage. Each lecture is 90-minutes long and light refreshments are served. All classes will conclude with a question and answer period.

Jazz Pianist-Vocalist Champian Fulton's New Live Record MEET ME AT BIRDLAND Out Now

New York-based jazz vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton's sixteenth album as a leader, Meet Me at Birdland, is out now!

Esteemed Jazz Pianist-Vocalist Champian Fulton To Release New Album 'Meet Me At Birdland' This April

Swing pulses through New York-based jazz vocalist and pianist Champian Fulton's veins. Since her arrival on the scene in 2003, Fulton has been lauded for her poise and allure. A live Champian Fulton performance ensures a radiant ambiance pronounced by the multi-talent's clarion vocals and lush keys.

Celebrate A Cool Yule With Louis Armstrong Holiday Gifts And His First-Ever Christmas Album

When the world-renowned jazz icon Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was on tour, he would always put up a small Christmas tree in the hotel he and his wife Lucille were staying. When they were home for the holidays, they would lavishly display their Corona Queens home with decorations, sing carols, recite The Night Before Christmas, and Armstrong sent friends his homemade holiday cards, made in his genius, down home style.  

Louis Armstrong's First Christmas Album Featuring Final Recording, 'Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule,' Available To Stream Now

Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule features nearly the entirety of Armstrong’s holiday output: six singles from the ‘50s, including “Cool Yule,” “Christmas Night in Harlem,” and “‘Zat You Santa Claus?.” The 11-track album also features duets with Velma Middleton (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) and Ella Fitzgerald (“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”).

Louis Armstrong's First-Ever Christmas Album 'Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule,' Featuring Final Recording, Sets Release

Now available for pre-order, Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule features nearly the entirety of Armstrong’s holiday output: six Decca singles from the ‘50s, including “Cool Yule,” “Christmas Night in Harlem,” and the swinging “‘Zat You Santa Claus?.” The 11-track album also features duets with Velma Middleton and Ella Fitzgerald.

LIFELONG LEARNING Returns To Algonquin Arts Theatre This Fall

Algonquin Arts Theatre presents the return of its popular Lifelong Learning Series for the 2022-2023 season.

Find Out Who Won at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards - All the Winners!

The 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards featured a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, a win for Barlow and Bear's 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,' Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett for their 'Love For Sale' Cole Porter duets album, Olivia Rodrigo, and more. Check out the full list of winners now!

Louis Armstrong House Museum Launches New Digital Guide

Today, the Louis Armstrong House Museum (LAHM) launched a new digital guide on the free cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Mosaic Records To Release New 7-CD Louis Armstrong Boxed Set In April

Mosaic Records has announced the April 10, 2021 release of The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia & RCA Victor Studio Sessions 1946 - 66, a 7-CD boxed set that will take listeners into the studio with Armstrong in a way never previously imaginable.

Melay Araya Announced as New Artistic Director of The Town Hall

The Town Hall Foundation's Board of Trustees and Lawrence Zucker, Executive Director, have announced that Melay Araya has been named the new Artistic Director of the renowned performing arts venue. Since 2018, Araya worked at Town Hall in the joint role of Associate Artistic Director and Archivist.

Dot Time Records to Release 'Armstrong in Europe' and 'Armstrong in Germany'

Dot Time Records is proud to announce the September 27th release of Armstrong in Europe. Part of Dot Time's Legacy Series, and the fourth Armstrong release, Armstrong in Europe features the audio from two recordings of quintessential European performances by the great Louis Armstrong which were recovered from the archives of the Louis Armstrong House Museum.  Tracks 1-9 on the CD release of Armstrong in Europe feature the audio from a 1948 performance recorded from Louis Armstrong and His All Stars' run at the Nice Opera House in Paris.  This historical concert marked Armstrong's performance at the first ever Nice International Jazz Festival.  Tracks 10-16 feature the audio from a Titania Palast, Berlin recording of Louis and his All Stars which was initially broadcasted on RIAS (Radio in the American Sector).  Accompanying this CD and digital release will be a stunning vinyl package of Armstrong in Germany released on the same date.  The Nice Opera House performance features a 46 year old Louis Armstrong in his musical prime, with Jack Teagarden on trombone and vocals, Barney Bigardon clarinet, Earl “Fatha” Hines on piano, Arvell Shaw on bass, and Sid Catlett on drums.  Armstrong's band in 1952, features Trummy Young on trombone, Bob McCracken on clarinet and vocals, Marty Napoleon on piano, Arvell Shaw on bass, Cozy Cole on drums and Velma Middleton on vocals.  Both European performances demonstrate Armstrong's stunning musicality, expert showmanship and ferocious leadership.

Queens Library Honors The African-American Diaspora During Black History Month With A Series Of Cultural Events

Throughout February, Queens Library will celebrate Black History Month with more than 100 free events and programs at all 62 of its branches. Inspired by Maya Angelou's works, this year's theme, "Black Migrations: Traveling Shoes," seeks to pay homage to the African-American diaspora, highlighting the movement and cultural contributions of people of African descent around the world.

Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong's Musical Partnership Celebrated In New 4CD Set

By the time Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong collaborated on their first duet together, they were each already jazz giants. Fitzgerald was an acclaimed solo artist for Decca with many hits and more than 200 songs under her young belt, first with the Chick Webb Orchestra and then as leader of her own big band.