Armstrong played to a packed, enthusiastic audience, starting with favorite recordings "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "Blueberry Hill," according to reports in the Daily Tar Heel. Other songs include "The Bucket's Got a Hole in It", and "Up the Lazy River".

Armstrong's duet "Baby, It's Cold Outside," was a musical flirtation with "little" Velma Hill, "200 pounds of voice and personality," the Tar Heel reported with enjoyment. New Orleans jazz instrumentals were the dominant sound from the All Stars, who delivered hits such as "Stompin' at the Savoy."

Armstrong paused for a brief interview at the end of the concert, praising the audience's warm welcome, reflecting on how he dealt with the pressures of a long tour, and describing his next destinations, including Chicago and New Orleans.

• A Time review of Armstrong's career, by Stanley Crouch
• An index of New Orleans musicians
• The Red Hot Jazz Archive, containing a variety of interesting sound cuts from Armstrong's music
• A selection of music clips from different bands and noted singers who performed with Armstrong
• Spree Music's Cassettes and CDs for sale (this is not an endorsement!)

Daily Tar Heel Reports about Louis Armstrong visits Chapel Hill

[ April 6, 1954  |   May 1, 1954 | May 8, 1954 | May 9, 1954 ]

Daily Tar Heel, April 6, 1954 "Armstrong Will Play Germans: ‘Satchmo’ To Present Concert, Dance Music For Spring Germans"

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong with his six-piece combo and vocalist will play for the Spring Germans May 7 and 8.

Armstrong will play for the traditional concert from 4 until 6 p.m. Saturday in Memorial Hall, and for the formal dance Saturday night from 8 until 12.

Jim Schenck, president of the Germans Club, said yesterday that the final arrangements for Armstrong’s appearance have been completed.

"The German Club has been attempting to arrange to have Armstrong for a German dance for three years now, and we are extremely pleased to be able to bring him to Chapel Hill at long last," he said.

Armstrong, who was elected to the Downbeat Hall of Fame in 1952, has recently returned from a concert tour in and around Tokyo, Japan. He is currently playing at Basin Street in New York City.

Daily Tar Heel, May 1, 1954 "Satchmo To Make Music Saturday"

"Dixieland is a way you feel – it ain’t something you say," says Louis Armstrong, the King of Dixieland jazz, whose famous band will be appearing here next Saturday for the spring Germans.

"Satchmo," along with his "Dixieland All-Stars," will be featured at a concert from 4 to 6 next Saturday afternoon and the dance from 8 to 12 that night.

The Armstrong legend began 39 years ago in New Orleans amid the honky tonks and dance halls. Young Satchmo spent hours watching Joe (King) Oliver, one of the greatest jazzmen of all time, who then worked in a cabaret. It was Oliver who persuaded Louis to read music, to play the cornet, and finally, to try the trumpet. It has been Armstrong, the gravel voice, and hot trumpet ever since.

Recognized as one of the foremost singers among jazz vocalists, Armstrong sings in almost the same low, raspy, yet strangely effective voice he used when he was 11. People then called his Satchelmouth. This was promptly shortened to "Satchmo," and has stuck ever since.

Often called Aerica’s "Jazz Ambassador," Armstrong surrounds himself with some of the best jazz players ever known. His combo now includes clarinetist Barney Bigard, bass Arvell Shaw, pianist Billy Kyle, drummer Kenny John, and trombonist Trummy Young.

Bigard and Shaw were members of his former All-Star group. Vocalist Velma Middleton, who has been described as "slightly smaller than a truck," teams up with Louis in several duets. "Sleepy Time Down South," Louis’ them song, is perhaps his best-known recording. Other long popular records include "Muskrat Ramble," "That’s My Desire," and "Blueberry Hill."

The New Orleans jazz man’s inborn rhythm has been causing a commotion among both "long-hair" musicians and "cats" for more than 37 of his 51 years, his publicity agents say. He started with a beat-up cornet in the days of King Joe Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton. He progressed to Chicago and the big time during the 1920’s.

Satchmo starred in New York in 1929 and 1930. He first toured Europe in 1932 – and has been "gassing ‘em" here and on the continent ever since.

Daily Tar Heel, May 8, 1954 "Satchmo & Company Make Music Today"

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, the King of Jazz, will be here today for the 1954 spring Germans concert and dance.

Playing with the "Dixieland All-Stars", Armstrong will swing into the likes of "Muskrat Ramble" and "Blueberry Hill" in a concert this afternoon in Memorial Hall from 4 to 6. He will play again tonight for the formal dance in Woollen Gym from 8 till midnight.

"Satchmo" is best recognized by the nation’s jazz fans for his gravel-toned voice and his hot-and-sweet trumpet playing. His fame has also spread to Europe, where he has been touring with enthusiastic reception since 1932.

For the Germans Club, which is composed of 13 fraternities, this will be the last official gathering for the year. Johnny Long, Tommy Tucker, and Ralph Marterie have also been featured in Germans weekends this year.

Led by president Jim Schenck, DKE, the Club’s officers include Jake Roundtree, PiKA, Vice President; Wallace Pridgen, Sigma Nu, Treasurer; and Skip Roddey, Sigma Chi, Secretary.

Daily Tar Heel, May 9, 1954 "Armstrong Serves Up Hot Jazz With Smile to Rock, Delight Memorial Hall Concert Crowd"

by Jerry Reece

It was jazz with a chuckle and a grin yesterday afternoon, and "King Louis the Great" had it to spare.

Playing to a completely packed and frantic Memorial Hall, Satchmo and company literally had them rolling in the aisles.

After opening up with their traditional theme, "Sleepy Time Down South," the jazzers swung right into "Back Home Again In Indiana" with a dixieland beat. From that point on the concert was "gone."

Armstrong continued with two of his favorite recordings, "A Kiss to Build A Dream On," and "Blueberry Hill." Then, breaking all concert tradition, Louis and three of his boys left the stage, leaving only the clarinet man, Barnie Bigard, and drummer Kenny John.

The crowd seemed a little awed at this and Barnie soon gave it reason to be. He blew some of the hottest and sweetest licks to be heard in the old hall for a long time. After Louis had warmed up the crowd, he called on "little" Velma Middleton, 200 pounds of voice and personality. She scattered her way thru one number, then she and Satchmo teamed up on "Baby It’s Cold Outside." As the curtain closed on Armstrong and company for intermission, Satchmo gave the last note a final accent and let out an easily audible chuckle. The other members of the band grinned back at their leader, and it was obvious that they were all enjoying it as much as the audience.

A boy with a crew-cut wearing Bermuda shorts pushed his way backstage to "get Louie’s autograph," a blonde who looked like Marilyn Monroe rustled through the crowd in a starched white dress trying to get a glimpse of the trumpet king, and a dozen photographers crowded around the musicians.

After intermission the combo (6 pieces) got down to the business of playing "old style" dixieland. The group gave its interpretation of a New Orleans funeral and then played approximately eight choruses of "The Saints." Louis and Velma teamed up on one more number and that was the concert – the most to say the least.