Ricky Riccardi

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

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 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 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.

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

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.

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 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”).

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Dot Time Records is pleased to announce that Ricky Riccardi, the Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum has been commissioned to write the liner notes for the four upcoming productions of never previously release material from the Louis Armstrong Archives on its Legends series.

Louis Armstrong was one of the most recognizable men in the world. His smile, his voice, his trumpet all set the standard for the one true American art form called “jazz.”