The Music of Louis Armstrong by The Boat Note Five

Louis Armstrong, New Orleans Jazz

The Boat Note Five is dedicated to Louis Armstrong, celebrating the genius and ebullience of the man who changed music forever. The name of the band is drawn from one of Louis’ many nicknames, and their repertoire is taken from his recording career spanning nearly fifty years, starting with the spectacular music he made in the 1920s. From “Dipper Mouth Blues” to “St. James Infirmary,” “West End Blues” to “Mack The Knife” and “What A Wonderful World.”

Tony Balluff: Clarinet

Dan Eikmeier: Trumpet, Vocals

Dave Michael: Drums

Rick Carlson: Piano

Josh Granowski: Bass

The Boat Note Five came together in 2018 when three members of local traditional jazz veterans Southside Aces—trumpeter Dan Eikmeier, clarinetist Tony Balluff, and drummer Dave Michael—were joined by the inimitable pianist Rick Carlson and bassist Josh Granowski to begin a project celebrating the music of Louis Armstrong. They have spent the years diving deep into Armstrong’s entire recording career spanning nearly fifty years!