Louis Armstrong: King of Queens with Ricky Riccardi

The OLLI Distinguished Speakers Series presents

Ricky Riccardi
Louis Armstrong: King of Queens

Monday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Online via Zoom

Louis Armstrong was one of the most famous and influential musicians of all time, changing the course of music with his innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist. Yet while he toured all over the world throughout the course of his illustrious career, he called Corona, Queens home for the last 28 years of his life. Join GRAMMY-winning author and historian Ricky Riccardi as he discusses Armstrong’s historic career, shares rare footage, and tells the story of Louis and Lucille’s love affair with Queens, which now serves as home for both the Louis Armstrong House Museum and the brand new Louis Armstrong Center.

Ricky Riccardi is Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum and author of What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years and Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong (named “Best Book of 2020” by Jazz Times magazine). In 2022, he won a GRAMMY Award for Best Album Notes for The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia and RCA Studio Sessions 1946-1966. 

Admission is $10 for OLLI at BCC and Berkshire Museum members, and $15 for the general public.

Admission is free for  students, staff and faculty from Berkshire Community College, MCLA, Simon's Rock, and Williams; youth 17 and under, and those holding WIC, EBT/SNAP, or ConnectorCare cards.

Pre-registration is required. Register safely and securely online or call 413.236.2190 (M-F 9am-4pm) to register by phone with a credit card.