1926, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five made one of their only public appearances, performing at the big "Cabaret and Style Show" in Chicago! The event was a benefit to support the musician's union and featured numerous "OKeh Race Records Stars" including King Oliver, Clarence Williams, Richard M. Jones, Butterbeans and Susie, Bertha "Chippie" Hill and more.

Here is the original full-page advertisement that appeared in the Chicago Defender, scanned directly from one of Louis and Lil Hardin Armstrong's scrapbooks.

What's the meaning of: "FROM 'KIN TO KAN'T'"?

Early to late, "can" to "can't" stay up any more!

Most likely, Kid Ory & Al Nicholas also played with Oliver's band (Dixie Syncopators), and the latter with Richard M. Jones trio.

1926 was "OKeh Race Record Artists Night" in Chicago, featuring live performances by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, Lonnie Johnson, Clarence Williams, Butterbeans and Susie, King Oliver, Alberta Hunter, Bennie Moten, Sippie Wallace and many more!

This is the original newspaper advertisement, taken directly from one of Louis and Lil Armstrong's personal scrapbooks. WOW!

I sure believe the Hot Five played this event; they were in the studio the entire day before so it would make sense they were all in town and able to play the next night for OKeh.

Also, we have an ad for this 1928 appearance by the Hot Five! So they never did perform regularly in public but it does appear they played in public more than once!