Description:

Armstrong Louis

Satchmo / Louis Armstrong Signed Letter Describing his Historic Tour Behind the Iron Curtain

 

Autograph Letter Signed, on three sheets of light blue stationery. Extensively penned to both recto and versos of each page. Stationary stock with letterhead bearing his nickname of "Satchmo" to upper left corner. Dated "April 17th, 1965," and signed by Louis Armstrong as "Satchmo / Louis Armstrong." Small staple hole to left corner, expected folds with light toning.

 

An outstanding letter written just after Louis Armstrong came back from his infamous tour from behind the Iron Curtain in East Berlin. In its effort to undermine the Soviet Union’s claims to cultural supremacy during the Cold War, the CIA founded the Congress of Cultural Freedom (CCF), which sponsored literary journals, ballet and modernist musical performances, and modern art exhibitions. The CCF also sent jazz musicians like Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, and Duke Ellington to Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Foremost among the “Goodwill Jazz Ambassadors” was Louis Armstrong.

 

From 1955 on, Armstrong traveled the world, performing with his All Stars in support of U.S. interests abroad. Armstrong and his All Stars began their tours in Europe, where he became known as “Ambassador Satch".” His popularity among soldiers and civilians on both sides of the Berlin wall was legendary: “No boundary was closed to Louis,” said bassist Arvell Shaw.

Armstrong and the All Stars returned to Berlin several times in the following years. Ten years after their first European tour, they appeared in East Berlin in March of 1965, playing two sets, including popular tunes like “Hello, Dolly,” “How High the Moon,” and “Mack the Knife.” Jazz historian Ricky Riccardi observes that this was “a historic tour as it marked the first—and only—time Louis cracked the Iron Curtain.” (Images of this iconic performance are included in the listing for review purposes only). His letter reflective of his historic tour is shown in part below:

 

"Here I am sitting in my home in Corona . . . writing this letter to you while my wife Lucille have [sic a good sleep. . . . The reason why we are so tired is because we have just returned home from our tour from behind the Iron Curtain. Which we both enjoyed very very much. . . . We did a broadcast in Frankf[urt Germany not long ago. . . . Then I had to leave immediately after we finished work in the studio to catch the plane to return behind the Iron Curtain again. . . ." 

 

Armstrong's letter was also reflective of his love of food, love of life and above all, the love of "love" and the simple things in life, noting his wife "Lucille cooked a very good - delicious dinner and the two of us ate so much until after dinner we both fell asleep", and reflecting upon the death of his friend's wife of "When two people loved each other like you + Hilde did you must feel contented never worry-never grieve even if you should marry again. Stay happy. I preach those same words to Lucille lots of times during our life together. I have so much (happiness) from the life she and I have already live together until I don't want no misery from which everyone should leave this Earth "Last" …

And of course his letter also discusses his love of Lip Salve "Sure I have some and I don't want to ever Runout of it. So at any time that you should have a batch on hand-just pack it up tight and ship it to my home COD … "

 

A wonderful ALS by this incredibly talented, yet most down to earth musician - who music evoked all the intenseness and emotion of Armstrong's passion for life.

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