The world became just a little more wonderful on this day in 1901, because that’s when the incomparable Louis Armstrong was born, down in New Orleans. By the time of his death in 1971, the beloved artist known to millions as “Satchmo” and “Pops” had left a profound, raspy-voiced legacy as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Also born today:
Jazz guitarist Herb Ellis — born 1921 in Farmersville, Texas. Among many career highlights, in 1956 he backed up Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong on the studio album “Ella and Louis,” playing alongside Oscar Peterson on piano, Buddy Rich on drums and Ray Brown on bass.
