The Webcast of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra July 4th concert "Hotter Than That" from New Jersey's Liberty State Park took place on Independence Day 2000.    Louis Armstrong Links    Trivia Contest    Biographer Interview    Discuss

What better way to experience Fourth of July 2000 than with a centennial birthday tribute to the most influential figure in jazz -- Louis Armstrong.

The special Independence Day Webcast of the Jazz from Lincoln Center Special Concert, Hotter Than That, was a tribute to Armstrong by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra under the direction of world-renowned jazz trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis. The three-hour program, a celebration of Armstrong's extraordinary life and music, began at 7 p.m. ET on the grounds of Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey. National Public Radio's live radio and Web broadcast of the show was hosted by WBGO on-air personality Gary Walker. The concert was presented as part of the Liberty State Park Music and Heritage Festival, and is being produced by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Murray Street Productions.
Editor's Note: While we had Webcast rights for the live concert, we do not have archival rights.

Although the exact year and date of Armstrong's birth is still a matter of debate, early on in his career Satchmo chose to count up from 1900 and blow out his candles with a wish every July 4th, now widely accepted as his official birthday. This seems entirely appropriate, since his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and humanitarian clearly represent a patriotic fulfillment of the American dream. Born and raised in the impoverished Storyville district of New Orleans, Armstrong persevered through hard times and transcended racial barriers to become a true musical genius, a national treasure and an international star.

Marsalis is also from New Orleans, so it should come as no surprise that the concert program will be filled with the steamy, sultry sounds of the Crescent City. The first set is all New Orleans jazz, including several tunes associated with Armstrong. Then the orchestra ups the ante with a set of dance compositions drawn from its recent 23-city "For Dancers Only" U.S. Tour. As if that weren't enough, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra will be joined onstage by legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry and vocalist Dianne Reeves. Scheduled to close with a dazzling fireworks display over the Hudson River, Hotter Than That is sure to live up to its name, taken from a song Armstrong wrote in 1927.

The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra Source: Jazz at Lincoln Center

The Hotter Than That concert kicks off Jazz at Lincoln Center's extensive 13-month centennial celebration series, 100 Years of Armstrong. The program will feature concerts, lectures, Lincoln Jazz Center Orchestra national and international tours, Jazz for Young People (SM) events and other educational programs. The concert is also a part of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra's Summer 2000 Sound of the Century Tour. Go to www.jazzradio.org to find out more about Jazz at Lincoln Center programs and see season listings.Send your comments on the broadcast or webcast to radio@jazzatlincolncenter.org

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