A dedication to Louis Armstrong

The great trumpeter Clark Terry said during the celebrations of Louis Armstrong’s 100th birthday: “Every year of jazz is a homage to Pops”. After so many tributes to the King of our music featuring trumpeters who owe their musical life to Satchmo, we thought that it should be the clarinettists’ and saxophonists’ turn to bow their head to the man who made us all.

The program was put together by Thomas l’Etienne. Thomas has been all over the world not only playing but also teaching traditional jazz and jazz history. He has created numerous musical reviews such as “Café au lait”, a program about Creole music, “Mood Indigo”, a dedication to Barney Bigard or “You’ve got to love Pops”, another homage to Louis that was featuring Lillian Boutté. All these shows have been highlights on European and also on American jazz festivals.

“Reeds for Pops” covers all periods of Louis Armstrong’s career from his early time in New Orleans to his late years with the All Stars. Apart from Louis’ classic tunes arranged for reeds it also introduces compositions by Thomas made for this special occasion. 

Anecdotes and stories of Louis’ life, many of them unknown even to a jazz loving audience will complete this musical mosaic. Louis Armstrong always considered it his main goal to entertain his audience. This review of his life and his music is trying to stick to the rules made by the master. The success of “Reeds for Pops” on major jazz festivals and in jazz clubs has encouraged the Creole Clarinets to keep on performing it and working at it until today.