Satchmo at The National Press Club (1972)

Louis Armstrong, always the consummate entertainer, turned a 1971 award ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington DC into an impromptu performance despite recent poor health. It was one of his last concerts before he passed away 5 months later. Joined by longtime band-mates Tyree Glenn and Tommy Gwaltney, Armstrong shows no signs of frailty while singing, and to everyone s surprise, playing trumpet on classics including Mack the Knife and Rocking Chair . The recording was originally a limited vinyl release by the National Press Club in 1972. Armstrong often signed letters Red Beans and Rice-ly Yours, which makes for an apt title for the recording especially since his favorite recipes are included in the liner notes (in a PDF on the CD), as they were in the original pressing. New Orleans Pussy Fingers, anyone?