Great Lives - Louis Armstrong

GREAT LIVES SERIES 1 - 16. CHRIS BARBER ON LOUIS ARMSTRONG (320kbs-m4a/63mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 8th July 2021

Band leader Chris Barber chooses the legendary jazz trumpeter, Louis Armstrong. With Humphrey Carpenter.

The biographical series in which a distinguished guest chooses someone who's inspired their life. Will their hero stand up to intensive scrutiny and merit the description of having led a great life? From 2002.

King Louis The First Of Britain

KING LOUIS THE FIRST OF BRITAIN (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 podcast: 20th July 2021

The great jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong died 50 years ago today, in New York. In his near 70 years on Earth, the man known to his fans as "Satchmo" and "Pops" made friends and created admirers wherever he played. It was no different in Britain.

Louis came here first in 1932 and lastly in 1968. He influenced many jazz performers including one of this country's finest trumpeters, Byron Wallen, who first picked up the trumpet after hearing "Satchmo" play.

In this programme- "King Louis the First of Britain", Byron sets out to find out just why Louis made such a connection with people here - a connection that is just as strong today.

A 6foot6 production for BBC Radio 4

Soul Music: Series 7 - 4. What A Wonderful World

SOUL MUSIC: SERIES 7 - 4. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD (320kbs-m4a/63mb/27mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 20th August 2018

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Louis Armstrong recorded this classic, written especially for him, in 1967, amidst civil rights demonstrations and protests against the Vietnam War. Was it naïve or a powerful anthem for peace?