Prepare for unaltered jazz magic, as Louis Armstrong brings his trademark charisma and groove to “Mack the Knife” live at the BBC in 1968. And from the opening smooth trumpet notes to his well-known gravelly vocals, Satchmo delivers a performance that is dripping with charisma and style. Each line, from “Oh, the shark has pretty teeth, dear” to the last note, is cloaked in his warm, playful swagger.
The energy in the room is palpable as Armstrong calls the band’s shots with suave bravado, scatting and ad-libbing spicy variants on every beat. The audience hangs on his every word, clapping and cheering as he navigates the song’s narrative of crime and intrigue with a wink and a smile. And that last “Macky’s back in town” — gold.
Louis Armstrong – Mack The Knife (Live At The BBC)
But Armstrong’s genius doesn’t end here. For another aspect of his genius, listen to his classic live rendition of “What a Wonderful World”. It’s an achingly tender moment, and one that illustrates the way he spins together strands of soul, warmth, and wisdom into every note.
Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World (At The BBC)
And for a complete run through Satchmo’s greatness, dig into a collection of his best live sets. From “Hello, Dolly!” to “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” it’s sort of a crash course in jazz history, one smile & one trumpet solo at a time.
Follow the legacy of Louis Armstrong on his official social media — where jazz rages on, and the good times never stop coming. Whether it’s a timeless classic or a rare live gem, the spirit of Satchmo is eternally in the W.C. Handy 8!