Jazz music had first emerged in the black cultures of New Orleans from the mixed influences of ragtime, blues, and music that was played at funerals in New Orleans (“Jazz”). Louis Armstrong, nicknamed “Satchmo”, “Pops”, and later “Ambassador Satch”, was considered to be one of the most influential artists in jazz music and he was a trumpeter, bandleader, singer, soloist, film star, and comedian (“Louis Armstrong”).
Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana to William Armstrong and Mary Albert (“Who is”). His father abandoned him shortly after his mother and him separated when Louis was five, and his mother would turn to prostitution so he mostly lived with his maternal grandmother and uncle (Biography). In 1913,
By this time, he had switched from cornet to trumpet, and The Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings of 1925-28 were how he emerged as the first great jazz solo artist and also by that time, the New Orleans ensemble style was not able to contain the creativity that he gave off such as his brilliant technique, his sophisticated and audacious sense of harmony, his always expressive attack, timbre, and inflections, his gift to create vital melodies, its dramatic, often complex sense of individual design, and his enormous energy and musical genius made these recordings great innovations in jazz (“Louis Armstrong”). His fame began rising and by 1929, he was playing with Carrol Dickerson’s Orchestra while also leading his own band in the same place, Hot Chocolates, with the name of Louis Armstrong and his Stompers (Louis ‘Satchmo’). Here, he sang “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” which became his first popular hit song and his trumpet playing hit a peak around 1933 which after that his music became less complicated giving it a mature feel compared to his playing in previous years and actually re-recorded some of his songs and ended up with great results (“Louis
Unfortunately, "What a Wonderful World" received little promotion in the United States, but the song became number one worldwide, such as in England and South Africa, and eventually became Armstrong's most enduring song after its use in the 1986 film Good Morning, Vietnam (Ruhlmann).
In 1968, Armstrong's demanding lifestyle finally caught up with him as his heart and kidney problems constrained him to stop acting in 1969 and that same year, his former manager, Joe Glaser, died, so Armstrong spent much of that year at home, but he still managed to continue practicing the trumpet every day (“Louis Armstrong”). In the summer of 1970, Armstrong was allowed to publicly perform again and play the trumpet, and after a successful engagement in Las Vegas, Armstrong began making commitments around the world, including in London and Washington, D.C. and New York (“Louis
Louis Prima was born to Italian immigrant parents Angelina and Anthony Prima on December 7, 1910 in the town that he would eventually draw his biggest influences from, New Orleans, Louisiana. Louis' first instrument was a saxophone that he received on his 10th birthday from the leader of the Dixieland band that his older brother Leon was in. He never quite took to the saxophone, and eventually gave it up and studied instead the violin. Near the end of his high school career however, he switched to the instrument that he is most associated with, and for which he acquired his nickname "the lip," the trumpet. And although he had no formal training on the trumpet, as Sam Butera is quoted as saying, "Louis discovering the trumpet was like a fish discovering water."
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
Louis Armstrong was known for his “hot jazz” while Bix Beiderbecke was known more for his “cool reflective” jazz style. Louis Armstrong developed a new style of jazz music that took New Orleans by storm, and many other bands decided to move to north Chicago because of it. In 1925 Louis recorded his first Hot Five records and this was the first time he developed songs under his name. Then later on he made the Hot Seven and these two records are considered some of the biggest jazz classics. These records really established Louis Armstrong’s “hot jazz” style and many people recognized that. Many people and critics also considered these records as some of the finest jazz recordings in history, solos began to emerge and that really characterized jazz. These tracks were very important because it not only expressed Louis style but it influenced a lot of the jazz world. After the tracks many people began to change from polyphony to soloists, from embellishment to improvisation, and changing from breaks to having solos and their was much more influence. Then there was Bix Beiderbecke who was known for his “cool reflective” jazz. He was known for having a unique lyric tone, he had a vibrant sound, and he and he was different from other trumpet and cornet players. These were the type of things that led to the development of what is known as “cool jazz”. Everything that he went through in his life, the sadness, his heroic side, all this led to his music style. These two had a huge impact with their type of styles, which is the reason for their success. There uniqueness is what led to their style and them being known for their type of jazz, one simply can not say that one is better than the other because they simply did not have the same
It was said that he thought he was born on July 4, 1900 (Armstrong 7). While Louis was still an infant his father, William Armstrong, abandoned his family. He spent the first years of his life living with his Grandmother since at the time his parents were going through a separation. At age 5, he moved into a home with his mother and sister, Beatrice, whom he called Mama Lucy. He grew up in a rough section of New Orleans. They were incredibly poor and did not have enough money. He would work different jobs just to take care of his family. Louis would work anywhere that he would be able to find work. He would sing on the street, which would result in his nickname, Satchelmouth that would be shorten to Satchmo. His nickname was a result of him having a wide
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.
“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
Armstrong could also start improvising while the tune was still playing. This opened many doors for musicians everywhere and it is still going on today. During 1925 to 1928 Louis made some recordings with many musicians. He called the group Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five. These recording prepared the art of solo improvisation. A lot of people viewed this as the start of traditional Jazz. They also laid the groundwork for the swing era. Some of these recording were Muskrat Ramble, Sweet Little Papa, The King of Zulus, and Fireworks.
Louis Armstrong, without a doubt, influenced the genre of music we all know as jazz. “Armstrong, to a greater extent than any other early jazz musician, transformed a regional folk music into an international art form through the virtuosity of his playing as the first great jazz soloist” (Oxford). From his not-so-easy childhood to his massive success, I will inform you about this musician’s life, career, and the legacy he leaves behind.
From the beginnings of jazz music in America in the early 20th century, jazz was a purely American form of music. It began with marches, led by John Philip Sousa, an American composer. This transformed into the collective improvisation period of the Twenties, which produced greats such as Louis Armstrong, born in New Orleans. Around the same time as Armstrong’s fame was Duke Ellington’s, who was born and raised in Washington, D.C. This pattern of jazz evolution originating in America was the standard for nearly sixty years; however, everything changed in the late 1950s, when an explosion of music from South America occurred. This Brazilian music, which had itself been evolving for years in its home country, combined with American jazz music and forms created one of the most unique and interesting styles of jazz music that America had seen: bossa nova. Bossa nova (“new style” or “new trend”), one of the first jazz styles without direct American origin, influenced music in America to use its ideas and sounds, but also to stray away from the new Brazilian style.
"Louis was at the forefront of changing jazz from ensemble-oriented folk music into an art form that emphasized inventive solo improvisations. 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"). Louis changed the very way that jazz was performed and created. Jazz music was never the same after Louis started to perform his improvised solo's. His impact on jazz was so strong that an entirely new era of jazz began.
He had a wonderful ear and a wonderful memory. All you had to do was hum or whistle a new tune to him and he’d know it right away” (Boujut 21). At the end of 1918 Armstrong married Daisy Parker, a prostitute he had met at a dance hall that he played on Saturday nights. The marriage ended only four years later due to her beating him regularly (Bergreen 87). Louis Armstrong was hired in May of 1919 to play on a riverboat that traveled the Mississippi River from New Orleans to St. Louis. Armstrong soon became very popular in St. Louis and was in high demand (Collier 124). Two and a half years later, he was thrown off the riverboat and fired due to a fight. After returning to New Orleans, he received a telegram from King Oliver in Chicago. It was an invitation to join The Creole Jazz Band – an offer Armstrong couldn’t refuse. The Jazz Band cut it’s first record in the spring of 1923 and toured throughout Illinois, Ohio,...
Louis Armstrong was famous musician who made iconic songs such as "A Wonderful World", "When The Saints Go Marching In", and " La Vie En Rose." Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 4 1904 and died July 6, 1971. Louis Armstrong played the trumpet and cornet and played jazz music through many of his days.
New Orleans has always been a big music town, for there has always been brass bands that played in the streets for parades, or for families to give comfort during a funeral.... ... middle of paper ... ... (The Influence of Jazz & Blues on Modern Music.”).
Louis Armstrong changed jazz into a solo art. He infused blues feelings, changed the rhythms and made it swing. He did all this by making music so beautiful and it brought tears to the eyes of other musicians. Talking about Louis Armstrong, he was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana, the stage name Satchmo. He fame from the 1920s, he had a great ability to use cornet and virtuoso trumpet. He laid the foundation for the large and influential jazz movement. Beside the impressive pressing trumpet, he has a very special voice hoarse and has the ability to sing Scat ingeniously. According to music critic Steve Leggett, “Armstrong is probably the most influential person in American music in the background 20th century”. He played a very important role in the development of jazz music, so many people called him the "father of jazz" or "Pops" as the respec...
Louis Armstrong is one of the most Famous Jazz Musician In America’s Musical History. Armstrong was Born on August 4, 1901 until July 6, 1971 Louis Daniel Armstrong was an Trumpeter,Composer, Singer, and Actor. Armstrong was the first African American entertainment to be accepted in a white society.Before that he was born and raised in Louisiana, New Orleans working as a coal deliverer for a Jewish Family.Growing up he spent most of his youth in poverty in a rough neighborhood. Delivering the coal on the way he used to pass by many spasm bands and house musicians sparking his interest in Jazz. Armstrong is an Revolutionary creating a huge impact on his musical community and eventually the world.