An astonishingly clear recording of Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra performing “Ain’t Misbehavin'” has surfaced on YouTube. According to the video’s description, the track comes from a metal “mother record” that New York City’s Okeh Records sent to Germany’s Odeon Records for their pressings.

Another similar recording of Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five performing “Knee Drops” in Chicago in 1928 was also posted a few days later. Evidently, both of these new versions were transferred to a digital format by sound engineer Nick Dellow.

Considering the poor quality of most early jazz records, these tracks are a rare treat for any fan of the pioneering New Orleans trumpet master.

UPDATE: Dellow has transferred another crystal clear, classic jazz recording to a digital format, this time from Duke Ellington.

Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra, “Ain’t Misbehavin'” (New York City, July 19, 1929)

Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, “Knee Drops” (Chicago, July 5, 1928)

