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Louis Armstrong makes “appearance” at Bern jazz festival

Jazz legend, Louis Armstrong, will be the guest of honour Keystone Archive

Bern's annual international jazz festival gets underway this week with a host of bands from Europe and North America - and a multimedia tribute to Louis Armstrong on the 30th anniversary of his death.

As with many similar events, the one in Bern is strictly-speaking more than a festival of modern and traditional jazz. For example, it begins with a gospel night featuring the Brown Sisters, making their first appearance in Europe.

Another evening is devoted to soul music, with a bill which includes Wilson Pickett and his band.

But the star of the festival will perhaps be the late Louis Armstrong – “Satchmo” -whose career spanned seven decades and who is regarding as having had perfect pitch and rhythm as both a trumpeter and singer.

His “appearance” at the festival will take the form of a multimedia presentation given by Michael Cogswell, director of the Louis Armstrong House and Archives in New York.

This will include newly-discovered tapes as well as video recordings of Armstrong performances. Other exhibits are rare photographs, manuscripts and Satchmo memorabilia.

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