12/05/2025
Ninety-seven years ago today, Louis Armstrong and Earl “Fatha” Hines stepped into the studio and captured Weatherbird, a duet so electrifying and mischievously alive that it still feels like it’s happening in real time. Armstrong’s trumpet practically grins its way through the tune, darting and leaping with that unmistakable, off-the-cuff brilliance that reshaped what solo playing could be.
Nearly a century later, the recording still startles. Hines’s right hand tears through those wide open octaves, creating the illusion of an entire ensemble from one pianist. Together, they build a sound that feels bigger than two musicians, a kind of sonic sleight of hand where space feels full, gestures collide mid air, and every phrase leans toward the edge. Weatherbird remains a blueprint for how daring, conversational improvisation can sound. 🎹 🎺
