In the movie High Society (1956), the amazing Louis Armstrong, one of the greatest jazz players of all time, performs the song Now You Has Jazz with singer Bing Crosby. Nothing so funny as this spirited duet of two of the biggest stars in music history, one of them a legend in his hope. It’s easy to see why Armstrong’s signature trumpet playing and Crosby’s smooth voice are traditionally paired for this performance which embodies jazz. Their chemistry is fun and engaging, which will please fans of all ages.
Everyone involved in Now You Has Jazz, including Armstrong and Crosby, seems to be having a ball, and the energy radiates off the screen in the form of a buoyant, peppy performance. Armstrong’s bold trumpet solos punctuate the song, adding layer upon layer of excitement to the rhythm. The playful banter and interaction they have throughout capture the jubilance and organic of what jazz music makes, and it makes this pairing feel more like a celebration than anything else.
Now You Has Jazz – Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong From The Movie “High Society” (1956)
The duo’s performance serves as a timeless demonstration of jazz’s reach across generations. One of the most important aspects of jazz is Armstrong’s excellent trumpet playing. At the same time, when combined with Crosby’s expressive ability to croon, the sound they produce is distinctly unique to this era. The cheerful (with some stops and starts) energy of the song captures the very heart of what makes jazz, in particular, so special — the freedom to express yourself and the power of musical partnership.
The transition from this dynamic jazz performance, however, brings us a gentler and more nostalgic side of Louis Armstrong with his version of White Christmas. This perennial holiday favorite has been covered many times, but Armstrong’s version is particularly special because of the way he rips into it emotionally and the depth of his voice. Listeners are immediately greeted with a sound that fills the holiday season, capturing the yearning and nostalgia that comes with this time of year.
Louis Armstrong – White Christmas (Louis Armstrong’s Holiday Memories)
What is so special about Armstrong’s White Christmas is how he makes it his own. This is a stuffy take on the holiday standard, and Kelly’s jazzy, laid-back delivery adds a hint of elegance and heat to the holiday standard. Armstrong’s vocal warmth, coupled with his brilliant trumpet playing, allows this version of White Christmas to become–for me, anyway–uniquely memorable, reminding anyone who hears it of the beauty and joy of the season.
There’s no denying the two-sided influence of Louis Armstrong on jazz and holiday music. As well as singing her offbeat joy on the spirited duet Now You Has Jazz or giving a new spin on White Christmas, Armstrong’s ability continues to be influential on decades of artists to come. For regular updates about his music and legacy, follow Louis Armstrong on Facebook and Instagram. His indelible tracks will remain a trove for the world’s music lovers.