Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
After the artistic success of his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings changed jazz forever, Louis Armstrong led a big band before settling into a small group format in the 1950s with a steady group of players he called his All Stars. Though led by a musical icon, the All Stars were occasionally criticized for two issues: playing the same unadventurous repertoire every night, and not speaking out more forcefully against racism. Here a modern group of All Stars—young jazz lions originally from New Orleans—has recorded a loving tribute to Armstrong and past members like drummer Barrett Deems, trombonist Trummy Young and bassist Arvell Shaw. The current All Stars tackle the faded controversy around Armstrong's relative silence on racism from the start, opening the record with a sample of a charged live version of Armstrong and his All Stars playing a favorite, "When It's Sleepy Time Down South," where Armstrong sings lines about "when old mammy falls upon her knees." Led by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, the group (all featuring bassist Reginald Veal, drummer Herlin Riley and trumpeter Nick Payton), dives into Armstrong's All Star repertoire joined by another New Orleans native, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis taking a star turn in "The Peanut Vendor." Throughout these 12 tracks these players, supplemented at times by pianist Davell Crawford and alto saxophonist Roderick Paulin, successfully resurrect some of the cohesion and esprit de corps that gave Armstrong's ensemble its fame. Filling in for Armstrong's singer Vera Middleton, Riley and Gordon are passable vocalists, with Riley occasionally sporting an Armstrong-like growl. While at first most of the arrangements stick close to the original versions, new ideas enter in "St. Louis Blues," which is sung by Riley, and benefits from jumpier tempo and boppier solos from Payton and Paulin. Another Armstrong classic, "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," gets a low down and bluesy instrumental treatment with saxophonist Paulin using breathy approach in a low register and trumpeter Payton lightly skipping and picking his way upward in tasteful fashion. Armstrong always had a deep spiritual connection to Thomas "Fats" Waller and his music and here, "Black and Blue," Waller's potent racism lament that inspired one of the strongest vocal performances of Armstrong's entire career, is radically changed in an arrangement that ignores the original melody, adds a repeated piano figure by Courtney Bryan and a spoken word break in the middle that features rapper Common. Armstrong's late career hit, "What a Wonderful World" is sung by Niki Haris in a slow, straight arrangement led by Crawford on B3 organ that savors every word. The album closes with a sample of Armstrong expounding on his theory of life that ends with, "I've always loved everybody, still do." Right back atcha Pops! A classy tribute to an influential musical giant. © Robert Baird/Qobuz
More infoYou are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer - Arvell Shaw, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Armstrong, Trumpet, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer - Danny Barcelona, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Billy Kyle, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Leon Rene, ComposerLyricist - Otis Rene, ComposerLyricist - Clarence Muse, ComposerLyricist - Eddie Shu, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Russell "Big Chief" Moore, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Wynton Marsalis, Trumpet, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Herlin Riley, Drums, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Moises Simons, ComposerLyricist - Rob Macomber, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Snider, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Courtney Bryan, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Don Vappie, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Herlin Riley, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lillian Hardin, ComposerLyricist - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Snider, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Courtney Bryan, Piano, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, Vocals, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sidney Arodin, ComposerLyricist - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - HOAGY CARMICHAEL, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Payton, Producer - Herlin Riley, Drums, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Davell Crawford, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashlin Parker, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Soprano Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Vocals, Bass, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Vappie, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Herlin Riley, Drums, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Theard, ComposerLyricist - Davell Crawford, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Alto Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer - HOAGY CARMICHAEL, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Payton, Producer - Davell Crawford, Piano, Vocals, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Wendell Brunious, Trumpet, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie Harris, Producer - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Herlin Riley, Drums, Vocals, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Davell Crawford, Piano, Clavichord, AssociatedPerformer - William Christopher Handy, Composer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jesse Snider, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Oscar Hammerstein II , ComposerLyricist - Bert Kalmar, ComposerLyricist - Harry Ruby, ComposerLyricist - Herlin Riley, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Davell Crawford, Piano, Hammond B3, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Tenor Saxophone, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Armstrong, ComposerLyricist - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Herlin Riley, Drums, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Horace Gerlach, ComposerLyricist - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Soprano Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Courtney Bryan, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Andy Razaf, Author - Nicholas Payton, Producer, Trumpet, Vocals, Recording Arranger, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Fats Waller, Composer - Harry Brooks, Composer - Herlin Riley, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - David Stoller, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Davell Crawford, Producer - Common, Spoken Word, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Derwin “Big D” Perkins, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Roderick Paulin, Tenor Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Courtney Bryan, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer - Reginald Veal, Vocals, Bass, Recording Arranger, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Don Vappie, Banjo, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Payton, Producer - William J. Kirkpatrick, ComposerLyricist - Herlin Riley, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Fanny Crosby, ComposerLyricist - Davell Crawford, Piano, Hammond B3, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Mixer, Mastering Engineer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ashlin Parker, Trumpet, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie Harris, Producer - Roderick Paulin, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Wycliffe Gordon, Producer - Nicholas Payton, Recording Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - GEORGE DAVID WEISS, ComposerLyricist - Herlin Riley, Drums, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Niki Haris, Vocals, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Thiele, ComposerLyricist - Davell Crawford, Piano, Hammond B3, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Misha Kachkachishvili, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mack Major, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jorge Castillo Jr., Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars, MainArtist - Menia Chester, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Louis Armstrong, Spoken Word, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2008 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
After the artistic success of his Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings changed jazz forever, Louis Armstrong led a big band before settling into a small group format in the 1950s with a steady group of players he called his All Stars. Though led by a musical icon, the All Stars were occasionally criticized for two issues: playing the same unadventurous repertoire every night, and not speaking out more forcefully against racism. Here a modern group of All Stars—young jazz lions originally from New Orleans—has recorded a loving tribute to Armstrong and past members like drummer Barrett Deems, trombonist Trummy Young and bassist Arvell Shaw. The current All Stars tackle the faded controversy around Armstrong's relative silence on racism from the start, opening the record with a sample of a charged live version of Armstrong and his All Stars playing a favorite, "When It's Sleepy Time Down South," where Armstrong sings lines about "when old mammy falls upon her knees." Led by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, the group (all featuring bassist Reginald Veal, drummer Herlin Riley and trumpeter Nick Payton), dives into Armstrong's All Star repertoire joined by another New Orleans native, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis taking a star turn in "The Peanut Vendor." Throughout these 12 tracks these players, supplemented at times by pianist Davell Crawford and alto saxophonist Roderick Paulin, successfully resurrect some of the cohesion and esprit de corps that gave Armstrong's ensemble its fame. Filling in for Armstrong's singer Vera Middleton, Riley and Gordon are passable vocalists, with Riley occasionally sporting an Armstrong-like growl. While at first most of the arrangements stick close to the original versions, new ideas enter in "St. Louis Blues," which is sung by Riley, and benefits from jumpier tempo and boppier solos from Payton and Paulin. Another Armstrong classic, "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," gets a low down and bluesy instrumental treatment with saxophonist Paulin using breathy approach in a low register and trumpeter Payton lightly skipping and picking his way upward in tasteful fashion. Armstrong always had a deep spiritual connection to Thomas "Fats" Waller and his music and here, "Black and Blue," Waller's potent racism lament that inspired one of the strongest vocal performances of Armstrong's entire career, is radically changed in an arrangement that ignores the original melody, adds a repeated piano figure by Courtney Bryan and a spoken word break in the middle that features rapper Common. Armstrong's late career hit, "What a Wonderful World" is sung by Niki Haris in a slow, straight arrangement led by Crawford on B3 organ that savors every word. The album closes with a sample of Armstrong expounding on his theory of life that ends with, "I've always loved everybody, still do." Right back atcha Pops! A classy tribute to an influential musical giant. © Robert Baird/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:53:13
- Main artists: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong All Stars
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Verve
- Genre: Jazz
© 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2021 Verve Label Group, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.