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. “West End Blues” begins with a 12-second trumpet solo that displayed Armstrong’s wonderful range and demonstrated the syncopated styling unique
to jazz music. This solo has remained as one of the most notable jazz solos of all time. After the powerful introduction, the song settles into a laid-back, 12-bar blues form. While “West End Blues” was originally written by one of Armstrong’s mentors, Joe “King” Oliver, the song didn’t gain popularity until Armstrong recorded it with his band the Hot Fives. This song is quite likely one of the most popular songs in 12-bar blues form to come out of that time period. After the first chorus of the song following Armstrong’s famous solo, the song features solos from the rest of the musicians in the band. The instrumentation for the song is composed of a clarinet, trombone, piano, banjo and drums. “West End Blues” is also one of the first songs to feature Armstrong’s infamous scat singing, which is used in a call and response between the clarinet solo and his voice. After hearing Louis Armstrong’s vocals, scat singing gained in popularity in jazz music, as well as in people’s daily lives. The style of “West End Blues” made a significant impact on the jazz world and also heavily influenced the musical style of the swing era which followed its recording. To say Louis Armstrong made a big impact on the jazz world is a huge understatement. Musicians of every kind, not just trumpeters, tried to emulate the way Armstrong played, including saxophonists, pianist and trombonists. The force and power with which he played was unlike that of any other, which is why many people refer to Armstrong as the “father of jazz”. His recording of “West End Blues” changed the way people listened to jazz music. This song made people realize that jazz was not only for dance halls, but also that it is a high form of artistic expression. Needless to say, Armstrong was correct when he said there are two kinds of music, good and bad, and he definitely played the good kind.
This small but distinct difference is what makes Louis such an important and influential figure in Jazz. About five years before Louis recorded this song, band leader Fletcher Henderson brought Armstrong onto his band to play shows in New York. (Singer 2) Originally, Fletcher’s band was a band primarily proficient in reading and playing music inspired by White bands at the time such as Vincent Lopez and Paul Whiteman. (DeVeaux 123 ) When Armstrong played with the band he brought a new element to it, he showed off his ability as a Jazz soloist. The nearly 2 minutes of primarily trumpet in the beginning of Armstrong’s version of “Black and Blue” is a reflection of what he brought to the table in Fletcher Henderson’s band. His trumpet stood out when he played with the band because it was such an improvisational and new element being brought to a somewhat traditional sound of music. Louis Armstrong even described this himself and very humbly tacked it all up to his inability to read the music as fast, “Well, I knew I couldn’t read music as fast as them cats, and Fletcher never let me sing. They’d got me there to blow that hot stuff. Lot of the time all I had to play in the arrangement was a 8 bar, maybe 16 bar solo. First time I did it, they went
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
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 meaning of Louis Armstrong’s song title can have two different interpretation: literally and figuratively. The literal meaning of his title “Black and Blue” illustrates Louis’ outer appearance and emotion which he highlights upon in his lyrics. On the other hand, the figurative aspect of the title’s meaning could be understood as a message or his personal testimony to society, which Louis ponders upon his implication of his skin tone.
“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.”
The great trumpeter Miles Davis once said that the history of jazz can be summarized in four words: “Louis Armstrong. Charlie Parker.” There is no doubt that the former is held in the highest regard with respect to jazz and its origins in the 20th century. Parker was a much different figure, yet he is still known to be one of the greatest jazz improvisers and innovators of our time. Charlie Parker was a jazz alto saxophonist who, through his work in bebop and his immense talent as a musician, inspired many performers and composers throughout the years.
The instrumentation of the song is typical of jazz tracks of this period, involving an acoustic guitar, strings, brass and obviously Armstrong’s v...
The Harlem Renaissance was the time period throughout the 1920’s in which entertainment, particularly music, was greatly cherished. It specifically narrowed in on exhibiting black talent and celebrating black culture. The musical movement started in New Orleans, but quickly stretched its way across America, to New York. The flaming passion and emotions that was put into the music during this time is something that is still greatly appreciated today. It is believed that African Americans would not be where they are today, if the renaissance had not occurred. The Harlem Renaissance brought a new sense of identity to African Americans such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday; they were no longer defined as worthless objects in society, they had begun a life beyond that.
Although Louis Armstrong’s music was accepted across racial lines, this cannot be understood in terms of white acceptance of his African American culture. Caucasian Americans accepted Louis Armstrong’s music because it didn’t provide discordance with their skewed notions of African American culture. They could continue to listen to his music, while understanding the music within a context that they were comfortable with, from “primitive” origins by innately musical blacks guided by their unruly passions. Louis Armstrong was not unaware of the perception that much of his audience had. His success was owing to his charisma and his ability to be an exceptional entertainer in spite of these misconcept...
By 1926, Armstrong was hired as featured soloist with the Carroll Dickerson band, at sunset café, for the first time his name was up in lights, as “the world’s greatest trumpet player”. Posters were hanged up advertising Armstrong,”Louis Armstrong in person!” Armstrong and his desire of greatness moved wit ha number of different musical groups, soon realizing that his style was best suited as a smaller ensemble. He played in big popular bands to reach more popularity. Armstrong established jazz as music that pri...
Jazz is referred as “America’s classical music,” and is one of North America’s and most celebrated genres. The history of Jazz can be traced back to the early era of the 20th century of the U.S. “A History of Jazz” presents From Ragtime and Blues to Big Band and Bebop, jazz has been a part of a proud African American tradition for over 100 years. A strong rhythmic under-structure, blue notes, solos, “call-and response” patterns, and
Louis Armstrong once said, “When you play jazz, you don’t lie. You play from the heart. If ya ain’t got it in ya, ya can’t blow it out.” Armstrong truly had “it” in him; there is no doubt that his heart was completely full of jazz. Because of this passion deep in his soul, he made a lasting impact on the world of jazz that still continues to affect our lives. The life, role, and contributions of Louis Armstrong helped lay the foundation of jazz music and helped it become what it is today.
There’s a relaxing feeling that comes over me when I tune in to 90.9FM on the radio on my way to school. There aren’t many people my age that listen to jazz, though. I told a friend of mine to listen to a standard that I’d heard earlier that day, and he told me he turned it off as soon as he recognized the genre, telling me that “it’s old-folk music, I can’t take it seriously”. Although I didn’t take his comment to heart, I really thought about our generation and why jazz music isn’t as popular nowadays. Perhaps I enjoy it so much because I’ve played the piano since the first grade, and appreciating the chord harmonies and creativity in the music might be easier for me than it is for my friend. It turns out my assumption was spot-on. In a radio interview, Jae Sinnett describes his first date with jazz, saying: