Louis Armstrong

Clora Bryant was billed as the female Louie Armstrong in the era of the Ed Sullivan variety show. Her raspy-voiced imitations were a big favorite among viewers but the gimmick often over- shadowed her incredible talents as a trumpeter. Most music lovers don’t like to think about how Clora had to struggle. Being a black female jazz musician was not easy and in some places it was impossible. In Los Angeles it was possible to play and not only did she play, she became a chief architect of the LA jazz sound beginning in the 1940s. She continued to perform until the 1990s and even after that still made personal appearances teaching younger audiences the value of expressing yourself through music.  

Walter Fuller played trumpet for Earl “Fatha” Hines when Earl, a pianist, formed his first big band in 1936. Walter gained fame as trumpet player and singer on several of the band’s hit recordings. During our interview, Walter spoke of working in clubs owned by mobsters, bringing the Chicago style of jazz to San Diego as early as 1947, and his career in the Southern California jazz scene. He was very humble about his significant role in racially integrating the San Diego chapter of the musicians union, stating that he would only join the board if they no longer separated black musicians in the back of their directory, but alphabetized all of their members in one list.  

Chubby Jackson was the 1947 Down Beat magazine’s reader poll winner for the best bassist of the year. When the Kay Music Company of Chicago told Chubby that they would be presenting him with a new bass to mark the occasion, Chubby had one request – add a fifth string. Jackson played that bass around the world with such superstars as Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, and Lionel Hampton. The 5-string bass soon became a standard product for bass manufacturers. Chubby was also an early promoter of the Ampeg Baby Bass model of the early 1960s. We completed several NAMM Oral History interviews with Chubby beginning in 2000 through 2002. 

Floyd Levin was a promoter of traditional jazz, an author, and music historian. Beginning on radio in the 1940s and then on to writing a music column, Floyd captured some of the greatest stories and characters in the world of jazz. A close friend of many performers such as Louis Armstrong, Floyd watched as jazz developed and expanded around the world. His views on the people and places of his era have been an important part of music history. Floyd also played an active role in NAMM’s interview program, providing research, suggestions, and contacts.

Toots Thielemans has enjoyed an incredible career as both a jazz guitarist and a jazz harmonica player. In fact, it is Toots who is credited for bringing the harmonica to jazz. He has performed with nearly every great jazz icon of the century including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Herbie Hancock. Toots is also the composer of the jazz standard “Bluesette” and “Ladyfingers.” With a laugh and a smile Toots recalled his life, ending with “I believe in music, don’t you?” His interview was completed in Hollywood, CA on November 9, 2005.