Louis Armstrong in Paris

Louis Armstrong spent a good deal of time in Paris, performing at the best venues in town, recording, and even making a movie (Paris Blues). Here are some fun facts about Satchmo and the City of Light!

Louis Armstrong stencil art
© Discover Paris!
During his first visit to Paris in 1932, Armstrong stayed at Le Grand Hôtel, across from the Palais Garnier and down the street from the Olympia Theater.

Le Grand Hôtel
© Discover Paris!
In 1934-1935, Armstrong lived at the Hôtel Alba Opéra in the 9th arrondissement. A plaque on the façade of the building honors him.

Hôtel Alba Opéra - façade
© Discover Paris!

Plaque at Hôtel Alba Opéra
© Discover Paris!
He frequented Eugene Bullard's Athletic Club, which was also located in the 9th arrondissement, during this stay.

Ad for Eugene Bullard's Athletic Club
© Discover Paris!
In 1947, Armstrong recorded a jazzy version of the Edith Piaf classic song "La Vie en Rose." Listen to it here:



In 1991, a square in the 13th arrondissement was dedicated to him to commemorate his first recording outside the U.S. at a nearby music studio.

Place Louis Armstrong
© Discover Paris!

Flower bed at Place Louis Armstrong
© Discover Paris!
In 2003, Didier Jeunesse published a children's book on Armstrong for its Guinguette collection. Called Armstrong, it was written by Claude Nougaro and Maurice Vander.

Armstrong - book cover
© Discover Paris!
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Paris Jazz Portraits - The Herman Leonard Photographic Collection

While searching for a vintage image of Billie Holiday in Paris, I came across an incredible collection of photos of jazz musicians. They were taken by Herman Leonard (1923-2010).

Johnny Hodges at the Brasserie Lipp, 1958 (detail)
Photo by Herman Leonard

Leonard photographed the Paris jazz scene and set up a studio for fashion and advertising photography in Neuilly-sur-Seine. He lived in Paris from the mid 1950s until 1980.

See images of Leonard's Paris photos of several performers by clicking on the links below:

Louis Armstrong

Art Blakey

Diahann Carroll, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Johnny Hodges

Billy Strayhorn

Lester Young
The Herman Leonard Photographic Collection, 1948-1991 is held at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian.

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Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

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