I believe we may need eight shows to cover the entirety of this enormously astounding collection, but I believe that the period that we cover today with Part Two was by far the most influential on my own understanding of American History.

This is the time where we meet Louis Armstrong, the man responsible for influencing music in so many ways that it is incalculable. In short, he taught the world how to swing, and he seemed to enjoy every second of it, which was contagious. We also touch on Sidney Bechet, James P. Johnson, and Frankie Trumbauer’s Orchestra, who introduced the world to Bix Beiderbecke (who was himself a disciple of Armstrong’s).

It’s practically impossible to overstate the importance of Louis Armstrong on the development of American music, but my advice is to sit back and just enjoy it, because this era was a time when music could be both challenging and remarkably fun.

Featured tracks include:

Blue Horizon – Sidney Bechet

Carolina Shout – James P. Johnson

Big Butter and Egg Man – Louis Armstrong

Potato Head Blues – Louis Armstrong

Struttin’ with Some Barbecue – Louis Armstrong

Hotter than That – Louis Armstrong

West End Blues – Louis Armstrong & Earl Hines

Weather Bird – Louis Armstrong & Earl Hines

Sweethearts on Parade – Louis Armstrong

I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues – Louis Armstrong

Singin’ the Blues – Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra

Riverboat Shuffle – Frankie Trumbauer & His Orchestra