The Story of Louis Armstrong in Data and Song Neven Armanios

The Story of Louis Armstrong in Data and Song examines how Armstrong’s career reveals the intersections of music, race, politics, and U.S. cultural diplomacy from the mid twentieth century to today. By tracing his international tours, the circulation and reinterpretation of his songs, and the political contexts surrounding his performances, the project shows how Armstrong became more than a jazz icon, he emerged as a powerful, if sometimes conflicted, symbol of American ambassadorship. At the same time, it highlights the afterlife of his music through its continued use in film and television soundtracks and through the many rerecordings of “What a Wonderful World,” demonstrating how Armstrong’s legacy still carries ideas of goodwill, freedom, and connection around the world.