Joel Schlemowitz emailed me:
It depicts Joel’s short documentary portrait of Japanese jazz musicians Yoshio and Keiko Toyama, seen through their annual visit to the grave of Louis Armstrong at Flushing Cemetery in Queens, NY.
“Back of Town.”
Louis father abandoned the family when he was just an infant. His mother became a prostitute and the Louis and his sister had to live with their grandmother. Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans. His first gains were the coins that were thrown to them. A Jewish family, the Karnofskys, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the USA had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home. Given work in their business, he remained in this Jewish family’s home where, for the first time in his life he was treated with kindness and tenderness. When he went to bed Mrs. Karnofsky taught him a Russian Lullaby that he would sing with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs.
The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family and until the end of his life, he wore a Star of David and said that in this family he had learned “how to live real life and determination.”
You might recognize his name. This little boy was called Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish!
Peter M Butler
Editor & Proprietor Jazz&Jazz
With thanks to Joel Schlemowitz
Reaching Out From Japan The Toyamas celebrate their love affair with Satchmo, Jazz and New Orleans
Truly wonderful, Joel. Thank you, thank you, thank you!