Armstrong’s Reputation

In “Tapes Break the Silence” (Aug. 6), Howard Reich writes of Louis Armstrong that, “to many jazz musicians who admired his art but loathed his public persona, he was at best a ‘clown,’ as trumpeter Miles Davis once called him, and at worst a promoter of a ‘plantation image,’ in the words of Dizzy Gillespie.”

I recall an interview in which Miles defended Armstrong’s playing. While others criticized the recordings of his later years, Miles pointed out the economy of Armstrong’s playing, noting that Armstrong’s choice of notes might not be as rich as when he was younger but that Armstrong’s musicality was still as brilliant in his choice of what notes to play.

As for Gillespie, he has been quoted as saying of Armstrong, “No him, no me.”

It is entirely possible that Gillespie and Davis made the quotes in Reich’s article at different points in their careers. Miles was known for being, let’s be charitable, slightly irascible, and Dizzy was no less outspoken from his side. My objection is that the quotes selected made it seem these three were enemies.

STEVE SWAIN

Hemet