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A live recording of Louis Armstrong playing his trumpet for one of the last times is being released to the public for the first time.

The recording is being played today at the National Press Club in Washington where it was created in January 1971, according to the AP. Armstrong was a featured performer celebrating the inauguration of fellow Louisiana native Vernon Louviere as president of the club.

At the time of the performance, Armstrong’s health had been in decline and he didn’t play for much of 1970. But he felt strong enough to play in Washington and surprised the crowd with tunes like “Hello Dolly.”

Armstrong died later that year.

Smithsonian Folkway Recordings is releasing Armstrong’s music on CD and digital download after collaborating with the press club and the Louis Armstrong Foundation.

via EURWeb

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