A 20th century jazz prodigy with a supreme talent for improvisation, Louis Armstrong would become a successful popular entertainer in later years. He could still revisit the dazzling instrumental performances ofhisyouth but in time ‘Satchmo’ became even more famous for his gravelly vocals and larger-than-life guest performances in TV shows and musical films.

Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote that there were no second acts inAmericanlives but Armstrong proved him wrong. With his reputation ...