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Mahalia Jackson performing “Just a Closer Walk with Thee'“ at the 1970 Newport Jazz Festival. Her show-stopping performance during the 70th birthday tribute to Louis Armstrong was a moving finale to the star-studded concert event. This is quite likely the last filmed performance of Jackson, who passed away in January 1972. Mahalia's performance of “Closer Walk“ is dedicated to Armstrong, who joins her on-stage for a rousing finish. This performance is from the original film “Louis Armstrong at Newport“ produced and directed by George Wein and Sid Stiber. The original, first-generation 16mm film footage was transferred to high definition in 2008. Edited versions of the film, presented under the title “Good Evening Ev'rybody: In Celebration of Louis Armstrong,“ have aired on PBS, BBC, and other broadcasters worldwide, and a feature-length version was distributed on DVD. A limited number of the DVDs are still available on Amazon at Mahalia Jackson's story is told in the Lifetime movie “Robin Roberts Presents: The Mahalia Jackson Story,“ in which Danielle Brooks stars as Jackson. “Mahalia“ has been nominated for an Emmy. Congratulations! #mahaliajackson #mahalia ©2008, 2020 Ambassador Entertainment Inc.
