If you thought you knew Louis Armstrong; think again. Behind the trumpet and the smile lies a story still unfolding today, thanks to one man: Ricky Riccardi. From his first jaw-dropping listen of “St. Louis Blues” at age 15 to becoming the official archivist at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, Riccardi has dedicated his life to telling the real story and uncovering unreleased treasures hidden for decades.
Riccardi’s obsession with Armstrong’s “later years” challenged critics who dismissed the 1950s and ‘60s work as commercial fluff. He proved them wrong with books, lectures, and rare recordings that showed Louis never stopped being a genius. In a tour of the Armstrong home, Riccardi walks us through the jazz legend’s colorful kitchen, practice den, and even the bedroom where he passed in 1971.
Louis Armstrong: House Tour | Biography
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Riccardi explains how hundreds of reel-to-reel tapes recorded by Armstrong himself; talking candidly about race, fame, music, and life; are changing how we understand him. One of those tapes included his final trumpet performance at the National Press Club, just months before his death. That release hit Top 5 jazz charts worldwide.
But perhaps the most personal look comes from Riccardi’s interview at the Bristol Jazz and Blues Festival, where he opens up about leaving his job as a house painter to follow his dream. Armed with nothing but a master’s thesis and a passion for Armstrong, he now manages the most important Louis archive on Earth.
Meeting Ricky Riccardi – Archivist at the Louis Armstrong House Museum
Now the Armstrong House is expanding; Riccardi is helping launch a new $2.7 million education center, digitizing archives, and releasing never-before-heard sessions via Dot Time Records. And yes; more albums are coming. What’s next? “If I have my way,” says Riccardi, “every tape, every note, will find its way to the world.”
Armstrong’s story continues to resonate across generations; his museum draws international visitors, and Riccardi’s work is referenced by Smithsonian, JazzTimes, and universities across the globe. Online clips of Armstrong still rack up millions of views, proving that real genius doesn’t fade; it multiplies.