"Elegant and affecting. . . a perceptive biography of Louis Armstrong and a sensitive appreciation of his music."
- Jonathan Yardley, Washington Post Book World

"A treasury worthy of both the genius and the gentle spirit of Armstrong."
- People

"A loving portrait."
- Philadelphia Inquirer

Gary Giddins has been called "the best jazz writer in America today" (Esquire). Louis Armstrong has been called the most influential jazz musician of the century. Together this auspicious pairing has resulted in Satchmo, one of the most vivid and fascinating portraits ever drawn of perhaps the greatest figure in the history of American music.

Available now at a new price and size, this text-only edition is the authoritative introduction to Armstrong's life and art for the curious newcomer, and offers fresh insight even for the serious student of Pops.

Gary Giddins is a columnist for the Village Voice and the author of of Bing Crosby: A Pocketful of Dreams, Satchmo, Celebrating Bird, Riding on A Blue Note, Rhythm-a-ning, Faces in the Crowd, and Visions of Jazz.

His work has garnered numerous prizes, including a National Book Critics Circle Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and five ASCAP-Deems Taylor awards.