Jazz music is perhaps one of the most famous genres in the world, being based on African American roots being implemented in the art of performance through improvisation and instrumentation. The Jazz Age was home to many transcending artists due to its world renowned changing culture, as different sounds of music clashed and combined to allow subgenres to come to fruition. One of the most famous of these artists is Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong was born on July 4, 1900, in New Orleans, Louisiana, a city known for its rich and immense culture of music, art, and more. These roots allowed Armstrong to develop the sound of jazz by experimenting with new elements throughout his career (“Louis Armstrong”). He combined his unique, raspy voice with …show more content…
One of the most transcending and experimental aspects of Armstrong’s music was his raspy and scorch voice, a sound formerly unforeseen to the masses in the genre of jazz. He combined his unique voice with the immense influence that he experienced from the vibrant New Orleans streets, full of character paired along with violence, prostitution, and pimps as he lived in a poverty-ridden neighborhood (Olsen). The blend of these aspects allowed for Armstrong to show the world of music a refreshing and significant voice, leaving his impact on the world forever. Around 1925, he developed what is called scat singing. This was a type of singing that favored syllables over words, allowing for an authentic and improvised sound (“Louis Armstrong”). This allowed for Armstrong to grow on the sound of the new, growing genre of jazz and implement his specific style to fit into the style of vocal performance. The influence was directly felt in the genre, as other artists began to adapt to …show more content…
At the forehand of his career, Armstrong utilized the cornet to compliment his rough and unfinished vocals (Teachout). Early New Orleans jazz consisted of the cornet, the trombone, clarinet, and other instruments playing coinciding parts (Olsen). In order to stay true to his roots, Armstrong persisted with this common instrumentation and did not experiment early on in his career. In 1925, Louis changed from the cornet to the trumpet, a change that would ultimately change the course of the genre of jazz as we know it forever (“Louis Armstrong”). The change from the cornet to the trumpet challenged the normalities of early jazz, influencing others to take leaps for themselves and experiment with new sounds. Throughout his career, Armstrong used the trumpet to pair along with his raw vocals, putting the instrumentation and the center of his performances (Olsen). Although this is true, Armstrong began to focus on more popular music rather than jazz music. This is a move that shocked many and lost Louis some of his original fans, but he shortly returned to his old style in the 1940s (Louis Armstrong). His move to appeal to the mainstream allowed for the genre of jazz to grow in ways never thought before, changing the sound while also adapting to the popular characteristics of music at
Louis has being the most prominent trumpet player in history. His trumpet playing techniques significantly impacted all other instrument players who came after him and emulated his techniques in all other instruments. His style and innovative perspective of jazz changed all the forthcoming jazz singers who had a lot to learn from him, including Bix who learnt a lot from Louis Armstrong. Two of his most famous hit sounds were “What a Wonderful World” as well as “Hello Dolly” among others. The emotions attached to his music is what attracted most people and led to the spread of his music. The charm present in the music was also adored and enjoyed by
Developed in the early 1940's, Bop had established itself as vogue by 1945. It's main innovators were alto saxophonist Charlie Parker and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. In this stage in jazz, improvisation differed immensely. Bebop soloists engaged in harmonic improvisation, often avoiding the melody altogether after the first chorus. Usually under seven pieces, the soloist was free to explore improvised possibilities as long as they fit into the chord structure. Popular and influential jazz artists include: Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, & Cannonball Adderley. Armstrong is most known for his involvement in hot jazz as a trumpeter, but is especially renowned for his improvisation capabilities. Louis Armstrong, born August 4, 1901 right in the beginning stages of the jazz movement, was originally from New Orleans. Armstrong was a bandleader, soloist, comedian/actor, and vocalist. Another famous, Miles Davis, is what some consider to be the best trumpeter of the era. Davis was born on May 26, 1926 in Alton, Illinois. One unique thing about Davis was that he was taught to play without vibrato, which was incredibly contrary to the popular way of
Jazz music did not become successful on its own. Its huge success during the 1940’s and 1950’s is due to the talented jazz singers and musicians who contributed to music. One of the successful musicians who contributed to Jazz was Louis Jordan. Jordan was an African American singer, bandleader and best known for his amazing technique and style while playing the saxophone. What set Jordan apart from all the other Jazz singers of his time was his appearance; being a comedian before going into music helped him appeal a wider and a more diverse audience. Appealing a more diverse audience was especially important during a time where segregation was an ongoing problem. His success was also due to his amazing band, the Tympany Five. The band included
Armstrong changed much as a person and a musician. He worked very hard to become
“His relaxed phrasing was a major change from the staccato style of the early 20’s and helped to set the stage for the Swing Era” (“Life & Legacy”). And as such a prominent artist, and in particular, jazz artist, Armstrong did not only change the perception of jazz and swing, but the views on African Americans and their culture. Armstrong and the Harlem Renaissance reflected black history and culture, and it became popular, even in white communities and clubs. Jazz as a whole genre helped further society’s views through the universal language of music, where any ethnicity could partake in it. And the revolution of jazz was lead by the stylings of Louis Armstrong. The duration of the jazz and swing era, lasting decades past the 1920s, symbolized the civil rights movement directly through the lyrics, sounds, and artists
His boisterous personality influenced many aspects of American culture, and his contributions and influence on Jazz are immeasurable. Nobody has done more for Jazz than Louis Armstrong, without question he is a Jazz legend (Friedwald). Armstrong excelled at everything he performed. A renaissance man of our time, his appreciation for music and life showed in his performances, and his talent showed his techniques and improvisation. Louis’s technique and improvisation on the trumpet set the standard for Jazz musicians (Friedwald). Fellow trumpeter Dizzie Gillespie credited Armstrong with this honor stating, “If it weren’t for him there wouldn’t be any of us.” This reputation would lend him to be referred to as Jazz royalty. With his trumpet and his scat singing he revolutionized Jazz. Though vocally limited, his understanding of how to use his voice beyond his natural abilities led to his perfection of scat (Edwards). Scatting allowed him to perfect his improvisational skill. Scatting, or scat singing would come to be known as the “House that Satch Built” and Armstrong the “Original Man of Scat.”
When the United States were showing signs of economical growth, the unimaginable happen. When the 1929 stock market crash marked the day that the United States slowly crept into the Great Depression. The Great Depression caused nationwide panic. There was a decrease of production and the sale of goods. Many businesses started to collapse and close. Banks closed down since they took people’s money and invest in stocks. When the stocks crashed, banks went bankrupt and people lost their money and savings. Then there was a rise in unemployment and thousands of workers lost their jobs. Countless amount of people were homeless and they were trying their best to save their money. People were trying to figure out how to deal with their economic difficulties. During that time, people wanted to escape from their problems. They would watch movies and listen to music. At the time Jazz music was very popular. Jazz music had musical freedom and the songs show the way many people felt. It had the power to lift the gloomy spirits of the people affected. Jazz music has a style that appeal to many people, both young and old. One of the earlier Jazz
At the mention jazz music, that people will first think of is likely to be a great figure with a clown image, nicknamed Uncle Satchmo. The man was Lewis Armstrong. He is a husky singer, often with a trumpet in his hand. He played dramatic works of simple structure in Orleans jazz style and with the accompaniment of Dick jazz music. Each of the books on jazz music will mention his name. Lewis Armstrong was to jazz music what Bach is to classical music, Presley is to rock music (Berrett 230). This essay will have an introduction of the king of jazz music—— Lewis Armstrong and his great influence on jazz history.
Louis Armstrong was the first great trumpet soloist in jazz. His unmistakable trumpet and vocals allowed him to continue doing what he loved most, making people happy. Armstrong was loved by many people, whether they were white, Africa...
African-American culture was spread through several artistic forms and mediums through the decades that the Harlem Renaissance took place in. One of the biggest and arguably the most important forms that Black culture was spread in was the form of music. During this era, music was an indispensable form of artistic expression that conveyed the thought and feeling of the Black people occupying Harlem and the surrounding areas. Music was an important art form at the time as “No aspect of the Harlem Renaissance shaped America and the entire world as much as jazz. Jazz flouted many musical conventions with its syncopated rhythms and improvised instrumental solos. Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers”. This music created by the African-Americans in Harlem transformed the negative outlook of many into a positive one or one of some understanding toward the Black populus. This introduction of Jazz and Blues into the society of the era gave birth to several influential and pivotal artists such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. This popularized the Jazz and Blues music genres and brought major notoriety to African-American bringing much needed change in the perceptions of Black
When it comes to jazz music, there is one name that everyone knows, whether they’ve never listened to jazz before or if they’ve listened to it their whole lives. That name is Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was one of the pioneers of jazz music, from his humble beginnings in one of New Orleans roughest districts, “the Battlefield”, to playing concerts for sold out crowds in Chicago and New York City, Louis left a massive impact on the way America listened to music for a long time. One of his premier tracks, “West End Blues”, left an impact on jazz music, which other musicians would try to emulate for years.
He was known as the Father of Jazz. He was most notable as an entertainer, however, he was a soloist that provided improvisations in regards to tunes. Louis Armstrong's “What a Wonderful World” is the first song that comes to many minds when discussing jazz. He is also well known for his scat singing, However, he also had a political side. In his song “What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue,” Armstrong talks about the color of his skin as a bad thing and how blacks were treated. In World War II he fulfilled by performing for the soldiers during a recording
His “hot bop” style was heard in places like the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theatre. Everyone from all over the country would come to see him. Armstrong recorded such works as I’m in the Mood for Love, and You Rascal You (http://library.thinkquest.org/26656/english/music.html). Another famous person during this era was Coleman Hawkins, a saxophone player. Hawkins is recognized as the first great saxophonist of jazz.
The Harlem Renaissance was an African American progression amidst the 1920s and mid 1930s that was possessed in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. It began after World War I completed in 1918, African Americans started heading off toward the Northern urban communities wanting to make tracks in an opposite direction from the narrow minded people and its treatment in the South. From the bigot people beating and killing of minorities to hordes lynching various colored people. They got distinctly exhausted on remaining noiseless and started focusing their sentiments into their composed work. The improvement of the "New Negro" amid the Harlem Renaissance symbolized freedom and the last disgrace of slavery(Carroll).The Renaissance offered the way to different capable
In conclusion, I think the art of improvision and scat singing played a major role in building up a beautiful jazz music. Louis Armstrong did a great job on his improvising music where he create swing feeling and slow bluesy in doing so. I also think that Louis Armstrong also has a god gifted vocal and he was able to use it to make his music melody more attractive. I really like the scat sing, even without words he was able to create beautiful melody and warm rhythm for his song. The song “my heart” itself was a beautiful song that Armstrong and his friends play. The band was able to use improvision technique and play very logic at every chorus and repeat chorus.