"There is two kinds of music, the good, and the bad. I play the good kind"

Louis Armstrong champions a universal and refreshingly simple philosophy about music. He dismisses the barriers that often divide listeners and artists, genres, styles, eras, and technicalities, by boiling the vast and varied world of music down to just two essential categories: good and bad. Armstrong’s words prioritize the intrinsic experience of music, valuing emotional richness, creativity, sincerity, and quality over rigid definitions.

His statement underscores his own self-confidence and commitment to artistry. Armstrong positions himself as a purveyor of “the good kind” of music, implicitly promising that when he plays, his audience will receive something genuine, skillful, and enjoyable. He bypasses debates about whether jazz, classical, blues, or any other genre is superior; instead, his measure rests on the effect and substance of the performance. This inclusive and democratic perspective bridges cultural divides that often alienate artists and listeners from one another. “Good music” becomes whatever resonates, stimulates, or uplifts, no matter its form or origin.

Such a view serves as a rebuke to the snobbery and prejudice that can plague musical discourse. Armstrong’s words invite a focus on what truly matters: the sounds themselves and their emotional impact, not the label attached. They also encapsulate the ethos of jazz: improvisational, open-minded, and deeply rooted in personal expression. In the end, Armstrong’s two categories highlight the most vital criteria for art, its power to move people, to be honest, and to connect across boundaries.

Embodying this ethos, Armstrong’s career was defined by his ability to communicate directly to people’s hearts. To him, the “good kind” of music is never about conformity or exclusivity but about authenticity, joy, and exceptional artistry, qualities he unfailingly delivered, ensuring his place among music’s greats.