“InallmywholecareertheBrickHousewasoneofthetoughestjointsIeverplayedin.Itwasthehonky-tonkwhereleveeworkerswouldcongregateeverySaturdaynightandtradewiththegalswho’dstrollupanddownthefloorandthebar.Thoseguyswoulddrinkandfightoneanotherlikecirclesaws.Bottleswouldcomeflyingoverthebandstandlikecrazy,andtherewaslotsofjustplaincommonshootingandcutting.Butsomehowallthatjivedidn’tfazemeatall,Iwassohappytohavesomeplacetoblowmyhorn.“SosaysLouisArmstrong,atoughkidwhojusthappenedtobeamusicalgenius,aboutoneoftheplaceswhereheperformedandgrewup.Thisraucous,richtaleofhisearlydaysinNewOrleansconcludeswithhisdeparturetoChicagoattwenty-onetoplaywithhisboyhoodidolKingOliver,andtellsthestoryofalifethatbegan,mythically,onJuly4,1900,inthecitythatsowedtheseedsofjazz.
