Stomp off, Let's Go

This book tells the enthralling story of Louis Armstrong's meteoric rise to fame, beginning with his youth in New Orleans.

Riccardi delves into Armstrong's musical and personal development, including his initial trip to Chicago to join Joe 'King' Oliver's band, his first visit to New York to meet Fletcher Henderson, and his eventual return to Chicago where he changed the course of music with the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings.

The book enriches existing narratives with recently unearthed archival materials and provides an intimate exploration of Armstrong's personal and professional relationships, highlighting how his musical style and personal values remained steady throughout his career.