Jazz Fest 2001

Louis Armstrong
by James Michalopoulos

Twenty-seventh in the series. When Louis Armstrong returned to New Orleans in 1931, nine years after he left to join King Oliver's Band in Chicago, he came back to a hero's welcome and found his way back to the black jazz clubs that jammed all night and spawned what became his American art form. For the centennial of Armstrong's birth, James Michalopoulos depicts Armstrong stepping out to cool himself from a searing after-hours session with New Orleans' hottest players. As he wipes his brow, you can almost hear the faint echo of those most original sounds ricocheting off the ancient facades of the city that care forgot. Michalopoulos' magnificent silk-screen print tops even his portrait of Dr. John (JF98). The artist peels away the public persona, revealing the soul of his subject as no one before. With characteristic architectural distortion, a deep palette and lighting, Michalopoulos created the definitive portrait of America's singular jazz progenitor.

Editions:

Poster originally sold for $59 (Unsigned), $235 (Signed), $595 (Re-Marque), $895 (C-Marque)

Poster and specifications may vary slightly.

Image ©2001 NOJ&HF, Inc / Text ©2001-2002 ProCreations Publishing Company