Sarah Vaughan in New York City, 1948. Photo: Herman Leonard via the Morrison Hotel Gallery.
Vintage Black Glamour hit 25,000 “likes” today! I think I will celebrate that along with the birthday of Louis Armstrong, seen here in Paris in 1960 with Duke Ellington in a photo by Herman Leonard. Mr. Armstrong was actually born on August 4, 1901 - but he believed he was born on July 4th for his entire life (he died in 1971). In the mid-1980s, baptismal records were discovered that revealed his real birthdate.
Cheers! Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong in Paris, 1960. Photo by Herman Leonard.
Billie Holiday in New York City, 1953. Another gem from Herman Leonard, whose work is now housed at the Smithsonian.
Billie Holiday in New York, 1955. She died 52 years ago today. Photo by Herman Leonard.
Diahann Carroll, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong in Paris in 1960 during the filming of the 1961 movie Paris Blues. Mr. Ellington provided the music for the film and Ms. Carroll starred alongside Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier. Photo by Herman Leonard.
