{"product_id":"louis-armstrong-an-extravagant-life","title":"Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life","description":"\u003cp\u003eLaurence Bergreen offers the first full account of Louis Armstrong’s extraordinary journey, tracing his rise from the gritty streets of early 20th-century New Orleans to global fame. Drawing on diaries, letters, and interviews, the narrative captures the man behind the music—a pioneering artist whose innovative trumpet work and gravelly vocals reshaped jazz forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArmstrong’s personal story unfolds against a backdrop of poverty, segregation, and cultural transformation. Born in 1901 to the young daughter of a former slave, he navigated Storyville’s bordellos and Chicago’s nightclubs, forging friendships with figures like Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby. His lively personality, adventurous spirit, and candid observations reveal a complex, charismatic individual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom informal honky-tonks to sold-out concert halls, Armstrong charmed audiences with his improvisational brilliance and boundless enthusiasm. As an international ambassador, he brought jazz to new shores, breaking barriers and inspiring countless musicians. Bergreen’s vivid prose immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and social currents that shaped a legend.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive biography of jazz’s founding father\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsider perspectives from diaries and correspondence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVivid portrayal of early 20th-century American culture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInsight into Armstrong’s musical innovations and legacy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Just Great Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45711518564586,"sku":"JGB-US2-4-Stack3-15-0767901568-36","price":14.14,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0647\/1735\/7290\/files\/61ZjG5y7SxL.jpg?v=1763025130","url":"https:\/\/justgreatbooks.org\/products\/louis-armstrong-an-extravagant-life","provider":"Just Great Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}