A Reflection on the Literary Achievements of Louis Armstrong

by Sonny Saul, Pleasant Street Books Publishing Co., Woodstock, Vt, 2013

a small pamphlet well illustrated with photographs of Armstrong, at his typewriter and in musical settings. The book features the reproduction of a hand written letter Armstrong wrote to his "pal Mez" (clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow) in 1933.  Acquiring this letter, the author came to realize that Armstrong had a unique and personal orthography which enabled one  to "HEAR" his voice. Sorting through the features of Armstrong's literary style, the author humorously, and insightfully compares, through excerpts, Armstrong's writing to that of the modern poet Charles Olson.

available for $10.00