A sign of those times, Billie got sidey role of an afro servant (despite of being a singing sensation) .Here Satchmo is shown to be a bandleader and introduces the members of his band, a virtual Who's Who of classic jazz greats, including trombonist Kid Ory, drummer Zutty Singleton, clarinetist Barney Bigard, guitar player Bud Scott, bassist George "Red" Callender, pianist Charlie Beal, and pianist Meade "Lux" Lewis.
set in the red light district of New Orleans, called Storyville, during its final days. The district existed from 1897 to 1917; it was created in effort to limit prostitution to one area of the city.
Where the Blues Was Born in New Orleans (w. m. Cliff Dixon, Bob Carleton) – Performed by Louis Armstrong and His Band, featuring introductions of each band member by Armstrong, in this order: Charlie Beal – piano, Kid Ory – trombone, Zutty Singleton – drums, Barney Bigard – clarinet, Bud Scott – guitar and cigar, Red Callendar – bass, and himself – cornet. He calls it Satchmo’s Happy Dixie Band.
New Orleans film takes some staggering liberties with history (such as suggesting that one
sympathetic white man was the driving force behind the success and popularity of jazz...), it does depict the exodus of jazz (or ragtime as it was then known) musicians from Storyville to Chicago in one of its most poignant scenes. Louis Armstrong, in his 40s in the film, did make the journey from New Orleans to Chicago as a young man, following the closure of Storyville, and initially found his success in the windy city rather than the crescent city.
Of course we know who is the real star once she starts singing :)
