Louis Armstrong

Much like Santa Claus himself, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong devoted his life to “the cause of happiness,” as he once put it, bringing joy to audiences around the globe every time he put his trumpet to his lips or crooned with his instantly-recognizable, gravelly voice. Yet, while Satchmo’s holiday recordings have become standard yuletide fare, he never released a Christmas album during his lifetime.

Now, for the very first time, Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule – out via Verve Records/UMe, presents Armstrong’s holiday recordings as a cohesive body of work, marking his first-ever official Christmas album.

Since his passing in 1971, Armstrong has become one of the most oft-played artists during the holiday season, his golden trumpet tone still able to cut through the din of even the most bustling shopping mall.

Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule features nearly the entirety of Armstrong’s holiday output: six Decca singles from the ‘50s, including “Cool Yule,” “Christmas Night in Harlem,” and the swinging “‘Zat You Santa Claus?.” The 11-track album also features duets with two of Pops’ favorite vocal partners, Velma Middleton (“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”) and Ella Fitzgerald (“I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Cool Yule
• A2. Winter Wonderland
• A3. Ive Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (w/ Ella Fitzgerald)
• A4. Zat You Santa Claus?
• A5. Christmas In New Orleans
• A6. White Christmas

• SIDE B
• B1. Christmas Night In Harlem
• B2. Baby, Its Cold Outside (w/ Velma Middleton)
• B3. Moments To Remember
• B4. What A Wonderful World
• B5. Reading of A Visit from St. Nicholas with Sullivan Fortner, piano accompaniment