When Louis Armstrong pressed his lips to that trumpet in Chicago, 1927, jazz music took its first modern breath. This crackling recording of “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” isn’t just a song; it’s the Big Bang of improvisational music, capturing the exact moment when jazz evolved from collective ensemble playing to individual artistic expression. Nearly a century later, Satchmo’s genius still tastes fresh off the grill.
The Hot Five lineup reads like a jazz hall of fame: Armstrong’s revolutionary trumpet runs, Kid Ory’s tailgate trombone, Johnny Dodds’ wailing clarinet, Lil Hardin Armstrong’s rollicking piano, and Johnny St. Cyr’s syncopated banjo. Listen closely at 1:38; that’s where Louis’ solo rewrote the rules, proving jazz could be both technically dazzling and deeply soulful.
Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five – Struttin’ With Some Barbecue (1927)
Comments overflow with reverence; fans recall learning cornet from these recordings at age 12, while one challenges: “Will today’s music sound this good in 100 years?” Modern jazz musicians still dissect these solos note-for-note; proof that true innovation never expires, it just waits for new ears to appreciate it.
For contrast, jump to Armstrong’s 1956 Newport Jazz Festival performance of “St. Louis Blues.” Where “Barbecue” showcases jazz’s infancy, this later rendition demonstrates how Satchmo’s foundational ideas blossomed into full maturity while never losing that original Hot Five spirit.
Louis Armstrong – St. Louis Blues (Live 1956)
Here, thirty years after “Barbecue,” Armstrong’s voice has become as iconic as his horn. Watch how he transforms W.C. Handy’s blues into a joyous celebration, his scat singing dancing around the melody like his younger self’s trumpet used to. The crowd’s ecstatic response shows how deeply his art had penetrated global culture.
TikTok’s #JazzOrigins trend introduces Gen Z to these recordings through viral horn tutorials and animation overlays. Meanwhile, jazz archives share rare footage, proving fans’ point: “He knew he was good. He didn’t know he was immortal.” The comments section remains a vibrant classroom where old masters teach new students.