Jazz at The Strand: The Music of Louis Armstrong at Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre

The Jazz at The Strand Series is presented in partnership with the Jazz Legacy Project and sponsored by The Manely Firm, P.C.

Louis Armstrong: the Game-Changer

Put simply, American Popular Music can be clearly divided into two eras: before Louis Armstrong and after him. His advanced sense of rhythm, melodic innovation, and ebullient charisma mixed together to create America's greatest musical icon. He's Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan rolled into one.

What is the Jazz Legacy Project?

Created in 2015 after an epiphany Justin Varnes had while teaching Jazz History at Georgia State University, the JLP has an ongoing residency at the Velvet Note jazz club in Atlanta, where they have been selling out their performances for 6 years and counting. Ditching a traditional textbook in favor of playing records and telling stories about the artists to college kids who knew little or nothing about jazz proved to be a big success. It turned out that performing the artist's music and telling their stories in between proved to be an even bigger success. 

But it's more than just offering insight into what to listen for when listening to jazz, it's also woven into American history - as jazz itself is. Many movements in jazz are a direct result of cultural shifts in America, and connecting an artist's music to a time or an event in history can open up a new world when listening to it.

Get the velvet rope treatment with a VIP pass! VIP tickets include early access seating, a meet and greet with the band, two drink tickets, and a signed poster from the band.

EVENT SCHEDULE

2:30pm - VIP doors/ VIP experience begins

3:00pm - General admission doors

3:30pm - General admission seating begins

4:00pm - Showtime