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March 2023
1min read

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five: The leader looms over banjoist Johnny St. Cyr, clarinetist Johnny Dodds, trombonist Kid Ory, and pianist Lil Hardin, Armstrong’s second wife. A novelty tune called “Heebie Jeebies” was an early hit under Armstrong’s own name. While recording it, in November 1926, he is supposed to have dropped the sheet of paper on which the lyrics were written out, improvised nonsense syllables, and thereby revolutionized jazz singing just as he was transforming jazz playing.

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