David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band 25th Anniversary at Birdland Theater

In 2000, legendary record producer George Avakian approached his friend Gianni Valenti about having a weekly residency to celebrate the centennial of Louis Armstrongs birth, suggesting David Ostwalds Gully Low Jazz Band. Given Birdlands history as the birthplace of bepop - a rebellion against traditional jazz - Georges idea for a banjo/tuba band on the boppers turf was quite nervy, perhaps counter-revolutionary. But Gianni, ever open-minded and concerned first with high-quality music for his customers, agreed - provided the band ditch its name and go by David Ostwalds Louis Armstrong Centennial Band...

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In 2000, legendary record producer George Avakian approached his friend Gianni Valenti about having a weekly residency to celebrate the centennial of Louis Armstrongs birth, suggesting David Ostwalds Gully Low Jazz Band. Given Birdlands history as the birthplace of bepop - a rebellion against traditional jazz - Georges idea for a banjo/tuba band on the boppers turf was quite nervy, perhaps counter-revolutionary. But Gianni, ever open-minded and concerned first with high-quality music for his customers, agreed - provided the band ditch its name and go by David Ostwalds Louis Armstrong Centennial Band. The band was an instant success and after a few years, and it was no longer Armstrongs centennial, the name was changed from Centennial to Eternity. After over 1200 performances by more than 100 world-class musicians, the Armstrong Eternity Band has achieved its 25-year milestone, which jazz historian Dan Morgenstern described as the longest-running residency by any band under the same leader at a major jazz club in the world!

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