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|| High Country Press Newswire

April 10, 2008 issue

Satchmo Live! Tribute to Louis Armstrong April 19

Accomplished jazz trumpeter Ramon Kenan presents Satchmo Live!, a tribute to Louis Armstrong, on Saturday, April 19, at the Hayes Center. That voice. Those cheeks. That talent. That voice. Louis Armstrong, the charismatic trumpet player whose improvised soloing gave way to a fundamental change in jazz, was one of the most famous jazz musicians of the 20th century. Toward the end of his career, the man with the archetypal, ripe-for-impersonating, sandpaper-washed vocals was also one of the most influential jazz singers.

Spend an evening with the iconic performer in Satchmo Live!, a musical tribute that takes its title from Armstrong’s famous nickname, presented by the Hayes Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 19, at 8:00 p.m.

Jazz trumpeter Ramon Kenan delivers an uncanny impersonation of the legendary jazz musician, capturing Armstrong’s style—exceptional technical ability, joy, spontaneity and rapid, inventive musical mind that still dominates jazz today—in every nuance of his performance, from Armstrong’s humble beginnings in the Storyville section of New Orleans to his triumphant world tours.

The show, which also stars jazz singer Theresa Richmond as Ella Fitzgerald, features such Armstrong classics as “What a Wonderful World,” “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Hello, Dolly,” among others.

Called “one of the most gifted trumpeters of all time,” Kenan has performed with a bevy of popular artists, including the O’Jays, The Coasters, Phil Driscoll, Clark Terry, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He has served as an adjunct professor at both North Carolina Central and North Carolina State universities and has performed tribute concerts to both Miles Davis and Armstrong. In addition, Kenan has released two solo albums and toured the world with his music.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $20 for students. The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road off U.S. Highway 321 in Blowing Rock. For more information, call 828-295-9627.