Louis Armstrong

Kevin Brandon is the studio bass player known as "Brandino". While he was born in Southern California, his musical roots go back to New Orleans. When he was four, he met Louis Armstrong, which he feels changed the course of his life. Over the years, he toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and recorded with hundreds of artists including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Mary J Blige and Beyonce. All throughout his career Brandino has supported those with handicaps and special needs since he was born with congenital club feet and a hip displacement.

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.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Joe Bushkin was involved with jazz at a very critical time in music history. Born in 1916, Joe was playing in dance bands while many of the originators of jazz and swing were still performing. As a pianist, Joe helped bridge the eras while adding his own unique style and feel for the music. Benny Goodman hired Joe in 1935 to perform with his orchestra and a series of name brand gigs followed including recordings and live performances with Eddie Condon, Bu

 Richard Collins had a colorful career as a jazz trumpeter in the evening while he studied for his masters degree by day.  Two topics always fascinated Dick, music and research, so he sought to study both.  He earned his masters in Library Science and spent most of his career in southern California lib

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Barrett Deems was the energetic drummer of the big band era who played with Red Norvo, Muggsy Spanier, and Jimmy Dorsey. While touring as a member of Louis Armstrong's All Stars in the 1950s, Barrett wrote the fast tempo drummers dream solo hit, "Mop Mop!". In later years Barrett had a weekly gig in Chicago that often included tips and advice to the young drummers who came seeking to learn from a true master. Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives.

Bud DiFluri enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry in both retail and manufacturing. He managed the Yamaha band and orchestra department in New York City with a focus on sales and marketing, which he also focused on while working as the Senior Sales and Marketing Manager for New York and New Jersey for the Selmer Band Instrument Company. Bud developed the educational programs at City Music Center, located in Newark, New Jersey, which brought great joy to him as he loved bringing a first instrument to the hands of a young student!

David Duane took over as President of McMillan Music when his uncle, Don McMillan, retired in 2017. David grew up in the business as his mother, Don’s sister, brought young David to the factory at a young age. David has been involved ever since, not just filling orders of the band and orchestra accessories they produce, but developing a true passion for the industry! David proudly explained the company all began in his grandparent’s basement when his uncle befriended Louie Armstrong and Duke Ellington and supplied them with valve oil and cork grease.

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 mus

Eddie Henderson is a medical doctor who found himself in high demand by some of the legends of jazz. His mother was a dancer at the Cotton Club in New York and had the connection to introduce young Eddie to Louis Armstrong. Louis provided Eddie with his first trumpet lesson and was a great source of inspiration. While in medical school he continued to play trumpet whenever he could, which gained the attention of Herbie Hancock who hired Eddie in 1970. He recorded his first two albums with Herbie, Realization (1972) and Inside Out (1973). Eddie continued to record and perform with

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 interv

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.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Arvell Shaw was the swift handed bass player who set the groove for such jazz greats as Teddy Wilson and Louis Armstrong. Arvell worked with Louis several times throughout the late 1940s until the 1960s, including as a member of the All-Stars from 1947-1950. One of his favorite memories was working with Louis during the filming of the 1956 movie musical "High Society." Image courtesy of the Downbeat archives and Jimmy Katz.

Lew Shaw grew up admiring musicians he heard on the radio or saw in concert and wanted to do all he could to promote their music and tell their stories. He was a journalist and advertising manager by day and an avid music lover by night. He has interviewed over a hundred musicians and even wrote two books that include many of their stories (Jazz Beat and Jazz Beat Encore) as well as regular columns in several magazines dedicated to traditional jazz. Among those he has interviewed; Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Les Swanson (who at the time was one of only two surviving bandmates

Toots Thielemans 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, and Herbie Hancock. Toots composed the jazz standard “Bluesette” and “Ladyfingers.” With a laugh and a smile Toots recalled his life during his NAMM interview, ending with “I believe in music, don’t you?”  

Byron Walls was a singer/songwriter who began his career during the folk music boom of the early 1960s. He sang in a number of groups during his career, including The Travellers, for which Byron was a founding member. The group opened for Phyllis Diller at the Purple Onion in San Francisco and later recorded the album A Journey with the Travellers. As a songwriter, Byron’s songs, such as “Precious Love” and “Grandma’s Letter” have been recorded by Emmy Lou Harris, Glen Yarbrough, as well as Burl Ives, Ed Ames, and Ronnie Milsap.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: George David Weiss wrote a number of successful songs for Elvis Presley, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few. He began writing jazz tunes such as the classic "Lullaby of Birdland" made famous by Ella Fitzgerald and later the Manhattan Transfer. George also co-wrote "Can't Help Falling in Love" which Elvis Presley recorded for his 1961 hit film Blue Hawaii.

Snooky Young was given his first trumpet from the local junk man who saw he had an interest in music, but whose family could not afford the expense. The gift served him well as young Snooky went on to record with the famous 1939 Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra, Count Basie, Gerald Wilson and Lionel Hampton. His influential style of muted horn can still be heard on records and in performances with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Band. With so much rich history, sitting with Snooky was a complete pleasure and thrill. Among the great stories he shared was how we received his nickname, from his

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Trummy Young was a noted jazz trombonist who performed and recorded with the likes of Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.  While playing with the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra for 6 years, Trummy also occasionally sang on the band’s 1937 hit record “Margie.”  It was while touring with Lunceford that Trummy befriended the arranger, Sy Oliver.  The two men co-wrote another hit for the band, “T’ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It).

Andrea Young is the daughter of jazz trombonist James “Trummy” Young. As a child, she rode in the band bus with her father who at the time was a member of Louie Armstrong’s All Stars. As the group toured, Andrea met many musical icons and referred to many of the legendary performers that she knew as her uncles. In the 1970s she began singing with her father, who was also a noted songwriter who penned “Tain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It)” and “Trav’lin’ Light” which he co-wrote with Johnny Mercer and Jimmy Mundy.