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Product Description
Product Description
The quintessential American artist Louis Armstrong was born in 1901 in New Orleans and died in 1971 in New York City, where he had lived for many years in a modest house in Queens. The house is now a museum in his honour. It is generally accepted that he was the single greatest creative artist in the history of American jazz and American popular song. He was a vocal proponent of marijuana use; he was prolific in coining expressions that entered the general lexicon; he wrote long, colourful prose pieces about his experiences; and, he made hundreds of collages that expressed in images his thoughts and memories and opinions. Everything he did was an extension of his artistry. "Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong" is a biography in the form of an art book. It tells the story of Armstrong's life through his writings, scrapbooks and artworks, much of which has never been published before.It includes many collages that Armstrong made on recording tape boxes. These incorporate marvelous photographs of Armstrong and others in atmospheric settings that capture the archetypal scenes in the life of a jazz musician: nightclubs and fast trains, women and wild parties, rainy streets and country moons. It's a vivid trip through mid-century black America, to the beat of Armstrong's own jazzy words. The book also includes photographs of Armstrong and is framed by a text that describes his significance. It will be welcomed not only by jazz fans, but also by art lovers, who will find in Armstrong's collages parallels to the work of established Black artists like Romare Bearden. "Satchmo" is written and designed by Steven Brower, whose previous book was the award-winning Woody Guthrie Artworks. It is supported by the Louis Armstrong House and Archives.
About the Author
Steven Brower is a seasoned writer and designer and creator of the award-winning book, Woody Guthrie Artworks. He has worked as an art director for a number of publications, most notably The New York Times and The Nation. He currently teaches design at various institutions. Hilton Als is a staff writer for the New Yorker. He is the author of The Women (1996) and was the recipient of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism in 2002-03.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a wonderful book for the musician and designer/artist alike. It gives us a rare insight into the world of Armstrong. Through his collages and letters we get a real sense of the person not just the world famous musician. I'm a musician and designer with a love of illustration/art/photography and when I saw this book I instantly fell in love with it.
He combined cut outs of photos and words in a way that evokes both cubism and elements of pop art. It's the use of sellotape to hold it all in place which is interesting too, as the pieces must be 50-60 years old the tape has yellowed giving everything a beautiful sepia like quality.
Whether you're into the music (to which there's plenty of reference) or visual arts, you're in for a real treat.
Buy this book!!!
He combined cut outs of photos and words in a way that evokes both cubism and elements of pop art. It's the use of sellotape to hold it all in place which is interesting too, as the pieces must be 50-60 years old the tape has yellowed giving everything a beautiful sepia like quality.
Whether you're into the music (to which there's plenty of reference) or visual arts, you're in for a real treat.
Buy this book!!!
Format:Hardcover
Satchmo: The Wonderful World and Art of Louis Armstrong
By Steven Brower
Introduction by Hilton Als
(Abrams)
A quick scan of Amazon reveals no shortage of Louis Armstrong books. Most angles would appear to be covered, but Steven Brower's found an approach that's a little different. It seems that not only was Armstrong the leading jazz musician and bandleader of his day, but also something of a visual artist.
It's his collages that provide the bulk of the material here, and it's a fascinating collection of artwork that reflects Armstrong's eye for a potent image. They're also a riveting gallery that reflects an evolving black America. Most of the collages were made on recording tape boxes, feature photographs of Armstrong and his colleagues, friends and passing acquaintances in a series of jazz locations; nightclubs, parties, etc.
They ooze energy and sophistication, and interestingly, a certain elicit decadence. The book is beautifully presented, big and solid, and I'm tempted to go out and buy a coffee table, just to put it on. Steven Brower, art director of the New York Times, and creator of the award winning book Woody Guthrie Artworks, has uncovered a whole new aspect to one of the most important musicians of the last hundred years. That's quite something. 9/10.
By Steven Brower
Introduction by Hilton Als
(Abrams)
A quick scan of Amazon reveals no shortage of Louis Armstrong books. Most angles would appear to be covered, but Steven Brower's found an approach that's a little different. It seems that not only was Armstrong the leading jazz musician and bandleader of his day, but also something of a visual artist.
It's his collages that provide the bulk of the material here, and it's a fascinating collection of artwork that reflects Armstrong's eye for a potent image. They're also a riveting gallery that reflects an evolving black America. Most of the collages were made on recording tape boxes, feature photographs of Armstrong and his colleagues, friends and passing acquaintances in a series of jazz locations; nightclubs, parties, etc.
They ooze energy and sophistication, and interestingly, a certain elicit decadence. The book is beautifully presented, big and solid, and I'm tempted to go out and buy a coffee table, just to put it on. Steven Brower, art director of the New York Times, and creator of the award winning book Woody Guthrie Artworks, has uncovered a whole new aspect to one of the most important musicians of the last hundred years. That's quite something. 9/10.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Fabulous!
27 Mar 2009
Format:Hardcover
This is one of the most beautifully designed books I've seen. Steven Brower showcased Armstrong's lively collages with simple yet elegant organization. Brower's writing was brief, yet so concise and articulate.
Own it, and you'd enjoy it at all times!
Own it, and you'd enjoy it at all times!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Satchmo: The Wonderful World and Art of Louis Armstrong
2 Jun 2009
Format:Hardcover
Purchased as a gift for a discerning fan of both art and Satchmo. The recipient thought it was unique and beautifully done.
Satchmo - Who Wouda Thunk It?
25 May 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Who wouda thunk that Louie was such a wonderful collage artist? I do photo collages myself and these are some of the best I've seen and the added plus is that they not only document his life but those of his musician buddies and collaborators. I actually like these better than most of Romare Beardon's collages, the great black artist of the middle 50 years of the 20th century - Satchmo's contemporary. I wonder if they ever met and if Beardon knew Armstrong was kicking ass in his artform?
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