The legendary Jazz-Musician Louis Armstrong’s visit to Egypt came at the tail end of a State Department sponsored tour that began in October 1960. On January 27th, 1961, Louis Armstrong and wife Lucille Wilson departed for Egypt.

On January 28, 1961, Louis Armstrong attended a reception at the American Embassy in Cairo hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, G. Frederick Reinhardt. It was through this engagement that Louis was introduced to the renowned Egyptian archaeologist, Kamal el-Mallakh, who became a key figure in showing Louis and Lucille around the wonders of Egypt, which included a visit to the Great Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, where the now iconic photograph of Louis was taken, playing the trumpet for Lucille.