The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago.
Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine, I look right into the heart of good old New Orleans. It has given me something to live for.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the deep connection and love the speaker has for New Orleans, signifying that music provides purpose and joy.
In this quote, Louis Armstrong reflects on his profound relationship with the city of New Orleans through the lens of his music. The act of playing the trumpet, especially when his eyes are closed, transports him directly to the essence of his beloved city, highlighting how deeply intertwined his identity is with its culture and vibrancy. The mention of having something to live for emphasizes the impact of music and place on his life, suggesting that both give him joy, purpose, and inspiration.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a music festival, someone might share this quote to convey their passion for the city and its musical legacy.
More from Louis Armstrong
All quotes βMaking money ain't nothing exciting to me. You might be able to buy a little better booze than the wino on the corner. But you get sick just like the next cat and when you die you're just as graveyard dead as he is.
Very few of the men whose names have become great in the early pioneering of jazz and of swing were trained in music at all. They were born musicians: they felt their music and played by ear and memory. That was the way it was with the great Dixieland Five.
My whole life, my whole soul, my whole spirit is to blow that horn.
I've Got the World on a String.
It's America's classical music ... this becomes our tradition ... the bottom line of any country in the world is what did we contribute to the world? ... we contributed Louis Armstrong
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