Louis Armstrong: Jazz Legend

by Terry Collins, Richie Pope (Illustrator)

Overview

Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo and Pops, became an American jazz legend in the 1920s. His voice and skill with instruments helped him become a popular musician in a time where America was racially divided. Watch as this skilled musician learns to play, buys his first instrument, and becomes one of the best music makers of the era.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476530680
Publisher:	Capstone Press
Publication date:	12/01/2012
Series:	American Graphic
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	41 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 14 Years

About the Author

Terry Collins always knew he wanted to be a writer when he grew up. A former award-winning newspaper reporter and columnist, he now writes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for readers of all ages. He also teaches literature and creative writing, helping to inspire other lovers of the written word. Terry lives in his hometown in North Carolina with his wife, Ginny, and their devoted dog, Bosley. A lifelong reader, he has a personal library that outgrew his house years ago. Despite his wife's gentle protests over a lack of space, he believes a person can never own too many books.
Richie Pope is a freelance illustrator from Newport News, VA. His work has been recognized by New York Society of Illustrators, Richmond Illustrators Club and CMYK Magazine. His client list includes publications such as UTNE Reader and Wired. He currently resides in Richmond, VA where he can be found sketching away at random locales with other Richmond illustrators.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Great Satchmo 4

Chapter 2 Louis' Life Begins 6

Chapter 3 Starting Fresh 10

Chapter 4 Fame and Fortune 18

Chapter 5 What a Wonderful World 26

Satchmo's Legacy 28

Glossary 30

Read More 31

Internet Sites 31

Index 32

Interviews

• Graphic novel format • Icon figure in the music industry

Editorial Reviews

This title in the American Graphics series, which introduces legends in our country’s history, turns its attention to jazz-great Louis Armstrong. Presented in graphic novel format, and rendered fittingly in jazzy shades of blue, the book opens in 1969 with Louis Armstrong—also known as “Satchmo”—in the hospital, with the warning to take better care of himself. From there, we flash back to Louis’s childhood, when he’s sent to the Colored Waifs’ Home for Boys (and is introduced to the cornet), before moving forward to his teen years and onward to his storied career. In the ’50s and ’60s, readers witness Armstrong’s encounters with racism; his tour of Africa; and his recording session for “Hello, Dolly!” What works so well here is that the main narrative, told in Armstrong’s voice and appearing in rectangular boxes, is clearly differentiated from the dialogue in word bubbles. The panels pace well, with no more than three to a page, and larger moments appear on full pages. Nicely done, with solid back matter; reluctant readers and comic-book fans should learn a lot about Satchmo’s legacy.

Booklist

The narrative tone of this graphic novel (aimed at elementary students) is Armstrong’s own voice, told through a short history he wrote while recuperating in a hospital bed. The pace of the book is quick, moving from one event to another like a riff, and as always with Capstone Press graphic books, there is a solid glossary at the back with musical terminology and a text version of Armstrong’s life...

Kevin's Meandering Mind blog

A brief but rich look at the life of Louis Armstrong, mostly referred to as "Satchmo" throughout.  Told from his own point of view as he tells his story from his hospital bed in the 1970s, Armstrong lived through a tumultuous era in America, especially for a black man. . . .the book focuses mostly on his music and his career on stage and screen.  He is presented as a happy man with a positive outlook and attitude.

It's All Comic to Me blog