Louis Armstrong, Vol.7
'Stop Playing Those Blues' -- Original Recordings 1946-1947

During 1946-47, Louis Armstrong was at the turning point of his career. He had been leading big bands since 1929 but there was increasing pressure on him to break up the orchestra and form a smaller all-star band. Satch was reluctant to put his sidemen out of work, but a series of events made it obvious to him that this change would make sense.

Louis Armstrong had already been a major jazz star for nearly 25 years and a household name for over fifteen by 1946. He was born on 4 August 1901 in New Orleans. Raised in poverty by a single mother, he grew up loving watching the New Orleans brass bands. Little Louis sang in a vocal group on the streets and began to play cornet in hopes of playing with the bands he admired. On New Year's Eve of 1912 his life changed. To celebrate the New Year, he shot off a pistol in the air, and was arrested. Viewed by