Pops, A Life of Louis Armstrong
By Terry Teachout
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston/New York
Mardi Gras today! But my head and imagination have been in New Orleans since last week when I started reading Pops. I've only read 45 pages but have discovered a determined little kid seeking greatness without knowing it. Born to an indifferent mother and absent father in terrible poverty with violence all around him, he managed to be strong, musical and proud. He was only a teenager when he felt compelled to spend his days earning money the hard way for his family and spend his nights blowing a horn and earning money the way he wanted. He was such a responsible kid he'd adopted his orphaned cousin. Partly his character was formed in the Colored Waifs Home where he spent time for stealing newspapers (which he may or may not actually have done) and found a mentor who encouraged his music. But mostly his character was something he developed from the inside out. At least that's the story so far.
I can't help but be impressed with the young Louis (And it's Louis--Lewiss, not Louie. He's not French, he would tell people.) And I can't wait to learn more about him.
I have moved from fiction to biography with this book -- and I'll go right back to fiction after this one. I couldn't resist a story about Louis Armstrong set at least in the beginning in one of my favorite cities.
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