Stomp Off: The Armstrong file (Helen Hayes)

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1/28/10

The Armstrong file (Helen Hayes)

It has been far too long since I last posted material from the Louis Armstrong file. Here are a few more letters and there will be many more. This batch deals with such things as a benefit with Helen Hayes and an invitation to a student party at Yale. The letters actually speak for themselves, so I just present them in chronological order, leaving out a few things that are less interesting.

In case you missed my explanation of how this file came into my possession, here is a link to that.

The first letter brings up plans for a Lewisohn Stadium concert with Dave Brubeck and a Chicago fund-raiser for MS with Helen Hayes appearing as narrator. (To better read these letters, a click on them will make them grow).

These letters are not earth-shattering, but I think they give us a peek behind the scenes and tell us a little bit about the little gangster with the huge signature.

Then there's this cocktail party at Yale. Louis was a busy man and Mack the Knife had given his celebrity a boost—as if that was needed.