'Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues' (2022) is a stunning documentary looking past the gravelly singer and trumpeter that was only ever shown with a smile. You will see the man behind the trumpet and what his thoughts were throughout his well-documented life.

Pops is the sole focus of this documentary as almost all interviews and recordings of Louis' friends and contemporaries are never shown on screen. Louis is King like he was in real life. Through interviews and personal recordings, the life of Louis is more thoroughly revealed and explored than ever before.

This documentary is fantastic as it gives the audience an in-depth look into someone they all know and sing along with but not really know too well. Satchmo is known for his great smile and gravelly voice throughout the world, but his thoughts provide so much more to the legendary figure in this film.

Watch it. You may have known that Louis is a legendary figure, but now you will know why he is such a legend.

Didn't know what to expect going into the film. I thought I knew who Louis Armstrong was but this film shows me I knew nothing but the records.

There are so many ways to make a biographical documentary but this was such a unique way. To make this Louis account of his own life and those who truly knew and played with him elevates the film so deeply. You get a real essence of Louis the person not just the performer, which this film goes to great pains to tell you was just one side and at the same time everything of who he was. The animated segments are the most enjoyable outside of learning musically what made him so special.

I would definitely recommend anyone to see this wonderful documentary about the late great Louis Armstrong, in his own words.