Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong's stage personality matched his flashy trumpet. Armstrong is also known for his raspy singing host.
Background information
Birth name	Louis Daniel Armstrong
Also known as	Satchmo, Pops
Born	August 4, 1901(1901-08-04) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	July 6, 1971 (aged 69) Corona, Queens, New York City, NY, U.S.
Genre(s)	Jazz, Dixieland, Swing, Traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Trumpeter, Vocalist, American cultural icon
Instrument(s)	Trumpet, Cornet
Years active	c. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Corona Queens (zip code 11368 is a neighborhood in the former Township of Newtown in the New York City borough of Queens surrounded by Flushing The City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Dixieland or Dixie is a name for the southeastern portion of the USA; see Southern United States, Dixie. Swing music, also known as swing jazz, is a form of Jazz music that developed in the early 1930s and had solidified as a distinctive style by 1935 in the United Traditional pop or Classic pop or Standards music denotes in general Western (and particularly American popular music that either wholly predates the advent of A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The cornet is a Brass instrument very similar to the Trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape and mellower tone quality 1919–1971
Associated acts	Joe "King" Oliver

Louis^[1] Armstrong^[2] (4 August 1901^[3] – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo^[4] and Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer. Joe "King" Oliver, ( December 19, 1885 &ndash April 10, 1938) was a Jazz Cornet player and Bandleader Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States

Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose improvised soloing was the main influence for a fundamental change in jazz, shifting its focus from collective improvisation to the solo player and improvised soloing. One of the most famous jazz musicians of the 20th century, he was first known as a cornet player, then as a trumpet player, and toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and became one of the most influential jazz singers.

Early life

Armstrong often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day in the USA), a date that has been noted in many biographies. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Although he died in 1971, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that his true birth date of August 4, 1901 was discovered through the examination of baptismal records. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 1901 ( MCMI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted ^[5] He was recorded as an illegitimate black child.

Armstrong was born into a very poor family in New Orleans, Louisiana, the grandson of slaves. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America He spent his youth in poverty in a rough neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, known as “Back of Town”, as his father, William Armstrong (1881–1922), abandoned the family when Louis was an infant, and took up with another woman. Uptown is a section of New Orleans Louisiana on the East Bank of the Mississippi River encompassing a number of neighborhoods between the French Quarter His mother, Mary Albert Armstrong (1886–1942), then left Louis and his younger sister Beatrice Armstrong Collins (1903–1987) in the care of his grandmother, Josephine Armstrong and at times, his Uncle Isaac. At five, he moved back to live with his mother and her relatives, and saw his father only in parades. He attended the Fisk School for Boys where he likely had his first exposure to Creole music. Zydeco ( French "les haricots" English "snap beans" is a form of American roots or folk music, that evolved from The jure during He brought in a little money as a paperboy and also by finding discarded food and selling it to restaurants but it wasn’t enough to keep his mother from prostitution. He hung out in dance halls, particularly the “Funky Butt,” which was the closest to his home, where he observed everything from licentious dancing to the quadrille. He hauled coal to Storyville, the famed red-light district, and listened to the bands playing in the brothels and dance halls, especially Pete Lala’s where Joe "King" Oliver performed and other famous musicians would drop in to jam. This article is about the New Orleans district For other things named "Storyville" see Storyville (disambiguation. Joe "King" Oliver, ( December 19, 1885 &ndash April 10, 1938) was a Jazz Cornet player and Bandleader

Armstrong grew up at the bottom of the social ladder, in a highly segregated city, but one which lived in a constant fervor of music, which was generally called “ragtime”, and not yet “jazz”. Ragtime (alternately spelled Rag-time) is an American musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918 Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Despite the hard early days, Armstrong seldom looked back at his youth as the worst of times but instead drew inspiration from it, “Every time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mine—I look right in the heart of good old New Orleans. . . It has given me something to live for. ”^[6]

After dropping out of the Fisk School at eleven, Armstrong joined a quartet of boys in similar straits as he, and they sang in the streets for money. He also started to get into trouble. Cornet player Bunk Johnson said he taught Armstrong (then 11) to play by ear at Dago Tony's Tonk in New Orleans,^[7] although in his later years Armstrong gave the credit to Oliver. Willie Gary "Bunk" Johnson ( ca 1879 or 1889 &ndash July 7, 1949) was a prominent early New Orleans Jazz Trumpet A honky tonk (also called a honkatonk, honkey-tonk, or tonk) is a type of bar with musical entertainment that is common in the Southwestern His first cornet was bought with money loaned to him by the Karnofskys, a Russian-Jewish immigrant family who had a junk hauling business and gave him odd jobs. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ Immigration refers to the movement of people among countries While the movement of people has existed throughout human history at various levels modern immigration implies long-term To express gratitude towards the Karnofskys, who took him in as almost a family member, and fed and nurtured him, Armstrong wore a Star of David pendant for the rest of his life. ^[8]

Armstrong with his first trumpet instructor, Peter Davis in 1965.

Armstrong seriously developed his cornet playing in the band of the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs, where he had been sent multiple times for general delinquency, most notably for a long term after firing his stepfather's pistol into the air at a New Year's Eve celebration, as police records confirm. The cornet is a Brass instrument very similar to the Trumpet, distinguished by its conical bore, compact shape and mellower tone quality New Year's Eve is on December 31, the final day of the Gregorian year and the day before New Year's Day. Professor Peter Davis (who frequently appeared at the Home at the request of its administrator, Captain Joseph Jones)^[9] instilled discipline in and provided musical training to the otherwise self-taught Armstrong. Eventually, Davis made Armstrong the band leader. The Home band played around New Orleans and the thirteen year old began to draw attention to his cornet playing, starting him on a musical career. ^[10]At fourteen he was released from the Home, and living again with his father and new stepmother, and then back to his mother and also back to the streets and its temptations. Armstrong got his first dance hall job at Henry Ponce’s where Black Benny became his protector and guide. Black Benny Williams (c 1890 New Orleans - 1924 New Orleans was a New Orleans based bass drummer of legendary status who played in New Orleans brass He hauled coal by day and played his cornet at night.

He also played in the city's frequent brass band parades and listened to older musicians every chance he got, learning from Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit, Kid Ory, and above all, Joe "King" Oliver, who acted as a mentor and father figure to the young musician. A brass band is a Musical group generally consisting entirely of Brass instruments, most often with a percussion section Willie Gary "Bunk" Johnson ( ca 1879 or 1889 &ndash July 7, 1949) was a prominent early New Orleans Jazz Trumpet Buddie Petit or Buddy Petit (ca 1890?- 4 July, 1931) was a highly regarded early Jazz Cornetist His early life is somewhat mysterious Edward "Kid" Ory ( December 25, 1886 &ndash January 23, 1973) was a Jazz trombonist and Bandleader Joe "King" Oliver, ( December 19, 1885 &ndash April 10, 1938) was a Jazz Cornet player and Bandleader MENTOR / The National Mentoring Partnership is an advocate and resource for Mentoring in the United States. A Father Figure is usually considered to be an older man often one in a position of power or influence who arouses Emotions usually felt for a person's Father A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a Later, he played in the brass bands and riverboats of New Orleans, and first started traveling with the well-regarded band of Fate Marable which toured on a steamboat up and down the Mississippi River. A riverboat is Ship designed for Inland navigation. These vessels are usually less sturdy than ships built for the open seas with limited navigational and Fate Marable ( 2 December 1890 – 16 January 1947) was a Jazz Pianist and bandleader A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving a Propeller The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to He described his time with Marable as "going to the University," since it gave him a much wider experience working with written arrangements. A university is an institution of Higher education and Research, which grants Academic degrees in a variety of subjects In Music, an arrangement refers either to a rewriting of a piece of existing Music with additional new material or to a fleshing-out of a compositional sketch such

In 1919, Joe Oliver decided to go north and he resigned his position in Kid Ory's band, then regarded as the best hot jazz group in New Orleans. Edward "Kid" Ory ( December 25, 1886 &ndash January 23, 1973) was a Jazz trombonist and Bandleader Armstrong replaced his mentor and played second cornet. Soon he was promoted to first cornet and he also became second trumpet for the Tuxedo Brass Band, a society band. ^[11]

Early career

Muggles

Skokiaan

Mack The Knife

“Heebie Jeebies” by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five

On March 19, 1918, Louis married Daisy Parker from Gretna, Louisiana. Muggles is the title of a recording by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra, recorded in Chicago on December 7, 1928. The Hot Five was Louis Armstrong 's first Jazz recording band led under his own name Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1918 ( MCMXVIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The City of Gretna is the Parish seat of Jefferson Parish, in the US state of Louisiana. They adopted a 3-year-old boy, Clarence Armstrong, whose mother, Louis's cousin Flora, died soon after giving birth. Clarence Armstrong was mentally disabled (result of a head injury at an early age) and Louis would spend the rest of his life taking care of him. ^[12] Louis's marriage to Parker failed quickly and they separated. She died shortly after the divorce.

Through his riverboat experiences, Armstrong’s musicianship began to mature. At twenty, he could now read music and he started to be featured in extended trumpet solos, one of the first jazzmen to do this, injecting his own personality and style into his solo turns. He had learned how to create a unique sound, and also started using singing and patter in his performances. ^[13] In 1922, Armstrong joined the exodus to Chicago, where he had been invited by his mentor, Joe "King" Oliver, to join his Creole Jazz Band, and where he could make a sufficient income so that he no longer need to supplement his music with day labor jobs. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. A jazz band (or jazz ensemble) is a Musical ensemble that plays Jazz Music usually without a conductor It was a boom time in Chicago and though race relations were poor, the “Windy City” was teeming with jobs for Blacks, who were making good wages in factories and had plenty to spend on entertainment.

Oliver's band was the best and most influential hot jazz band in Chicago in the early 1920s, at a time when Chicago was the center of the jazz universe. Armstrong lived like a king in Chicago, in his own apartment with his own private bath (his first). Excited as he was to be in Chicago, he began his career-long pastime of writing nostalgic letters to friends in New Orleans. As Armstrong’s reputation grew, he was challenged to “cutting contests” by hornmen trying to displace the new phenom, who could blow two hundred high C’s in a row. ^[14] Armstrong made his first recordings on the Gennett and Okeh labels (jazz records were starting to boom across the country), including taking some solos and breaks, while playing second cornet in Oliver's band in 1923. Gennett (pronounced with a soft G) was a United States based Record label which flourished in the 1920s. Okeh Records began as an Independent record label based in the United States of America in At this time, he met Hoagy Carmichael (with whom he would collaborate later) who was introduced by pal Bix Beiderbecke, who now had his own Chicago band. Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (November 22 1899 – December 27 1981 was an American Composer, Pianist, singer actor and bandleader Leon Bix Beiderbecke ( March 10, 1903 &ndash August 6, 1931) was an American Jazz Cornetist and composer as well

Armstrong enjoyed working with Oliver, but Louis' second wife, pianist Lil Hardin Armstrong, urged him to seek more prominent billing and develop his newer style away from the influence of Oliver. A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra Lil Hardin Armstrong (born Lillian Hardin ( February 3 1898 – August 27 1971) was a Jazz Pianist, Composer She had her husband play classical music in church concerts to broaden his skill and improve his solo play, and she prodded him into wearing more stylish attire to make him look sharp and to better offset his growing girth. Lil’s influence eventually undermined Armstrong’s relationship with his mentor, especially concerning his salary and additional moneys that Oliver held back from Armstrong and other band members. Armstrong and Oliver parted amicably in 1924 and Armstrong received an invitation to go to New York City to play with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, the top African–American band of the day. The City of New York Fletcher Hamilton Henderson Jr ( December 18, 1897 &ndash December 28, 1952) was an American pianist bandleader Arranger Armstrong switched to the trumpet to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. His influence upon Henderson's tenor sax soloist, Coleman Hawkins, can be judged by listening to the records made by the band during this period. The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the Saxophone family a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s Coleman Randolph Hawkins ( November 21 1904 - May 19 1969) Nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean" was a prominent

Armstrong quickly adapted to the more tightly controlled style of Henderson, playing trumpet and even experimenting with the trombone, and the other members quickly took up Armstrong’s emotional, expressive pulse. Soon his act included singing and telling tales of New Orleans characters, especially preachers. ^[15]The Henderson Orchestra was playing in the best venues for white-only patrons, including the famed Roseland Ballroom, featuring the classy arrangements of Don Redman. The Roseland Ballroom (also referred to as Roseland Dance City) is a catering hall/music venue/dance hall in a converted Ice skating rink with a colorful ballroom Donald Matthew Redman ( July 29, 1900, Piedmont, West Virginia - November 30, 1964, New York) was an American Duke Ellington’s orchestra would go to Roseland to catch Armstrong’s performances and young hornmen around town tried in vain to outplay him, splitting their lips in their attempts. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader.

During this time, Armstrong also made many recordings on the side, arranged by an old friend from New Orleans, pianist Clarence Williams; these included small jazz band sides with the Williams Blue Five (some of the best pairing Armstrong with one of Armstrong's few rivals in fiery technique and ideas, Sidney Bechet) and a series of accompaniments with Blues singers, including Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Alberta Hunter. Clarence Williams ( October 8, 1898 &ndash November 6, 1965) was an American Jazz Pianist, Composer, promoter Sidney Bechet ( May 14, 1897 &ndash May 14, 1959) was an American Jazz saxophonist, Clarinetist and Composer The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Bessie Smith (July 9 1892 or April 15 1894&ndash September 26 1937 was an American Blues singer Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett Rainey, better known as Ma Rainey ( April 26, 1886 – December 22, 1939) was one of the earliest known Alberta Hunter ( April 1 1895 - October 17 1984) was an American Blues Singer, Songwriter, and

Armstrong returned to Chicago in 1925 due mostly to the urging of his wife, who wanted to pump up Armstrong’s career and income. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He was content in New York but later would concede that she was right and that the Henderson Orchestra was limiting his artistic growth. In publicity, much to his chagrin, she billed him as “the World’s Greatest Trumpet Player”. At first he was actually a member of the Lil Hardin Armstrong Band and working for his wife. ^[16]He began recording under his own name for Okeh with his famous Hot Five and Hot Seven groups, producing hits such as "Potato Head Blues", "Muggles" (a reference to marijuana, for which Armstrong had a lifelong fondness), and "West End Blues", the music of which set the standard and the agenda for jazz for many years to come. The Hot Five was Louis Armstrong 's first Jazz recording band led under his own name Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven was a Jazz studio group organized to make a series of recordings for Okeh Records in Chicago Illinois in May 1927 " Potato Head Blues " is one of Louis Armstrong 's finest recordings Muggles is the title of a recording by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra, recorded in Chicago on December 7, 1928. Cannabis, also known as marijuana or marihuana, or ganja (from Hindi / Sanskrit: गांजा gānjā hemp) is a " West End Blues " is a multi-strain 12 bar blues composition by Joe "King" Oliver.

The group included Kid Ory (trombone), Johnny Dodds (clarinet), Johnny St. Cyr (banjo), wife Lil on piano, and usually no drummer. Edward "Kid" Ory ( December 25, 1886 &ndash January 23, 1973) was a Jazz trombonist and Bandleader Johnny Dodds ( April 12 1892 &ndash August 8 1940) was a New Orleans based Jazz Clarinetist and Alto saxophonist Johnny St Cyr (b April 17, 1890 in New Orleans Louisiana, d June 17, 1966 in Los Angeles California) was an American Armstrong’s bandleading style was easygoing, as St. Cyr noted, "One felt so relaxed working with him and he was very broad-minded. . . always did his best to feature each individual". ^[17] His recordings with pianist Earl "Fatha" Hines (most famously their 1928 Weatherbird duet) and Armstrong's trumpet introduction to "West End Blues" remain some of the most famous and influential improvisations in jazz history. Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, ( 28 December, 1903 Duquesne Pennsylvania &ndash 22 April Armstrong was now free to develop his personal style as he wished, which included a heavy dose of effervescent jive, such as "whip that thing, Miss Lil" and "Mr. Johnny Dodds, Aw, do that clarinet, boy!"^[18]

Armstrong also played with Erskine Tate’s Little Symphony, actually a quintet, which played mostly at the Vendome Theatre. Erskine Tate (January 14 1895 Memphis Tennessee - December 17 1978 Chicago) was an American Jazz violinist and bandleader They furnished music for silent movies and live shows, including jazz versions of classical music, such as “Madame Butterfly”, which gave Armstrong experience with longer forms of music and with hosting before a large audience. He began to scat sing (improvised vocal jazz using non-sensical words) and was among the first to record it, on Heebie Jeebies in 1926. So popular was the recording the group became the most famous jazz band in America even though they as yet had not performed live to any great degree. Young musicians across the country, black and white, were turned on by Armstrong’s new type of jazz. ^[19]

After separating from Lil, Armstrong started to play at the Sunset Café for Al Capone associate Joe Glaser in the Carroll Dickerson Orchestra, with Earl Hines on piano, which was soon renamed Louis Armstrong and his Stompers, though Hines was the music director and Glaser managed the orchestra. Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone (January 17 1899 &ndash January 25 1947 commonly nicknamed Scarface, was an Italian American Gangster who Hines and Armstrong became fast friends as well as successful collaborators.

Armstrong returned to New York, in 1929, where he played in the pit orchestra of the successful musical Hot Chocolate, an all-black revue written by Andy Razaf and pianist/composer Fats Waller. Andy Razaf ( December 16, 1895 &ndash February 3, 1973) (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo also Razafkeriefo Fats Waller (born Thomas Wright Waller on May 21, 1904 &mdash December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist He also made a cameo appearance as a vocalist, regularly stealing the show with his rendition of "Ain't Misbehavin'", his version of the song becoming his biggest selling record to date. Ain't Misbehavin is a musical Revue with a book by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr ^[20]

He started to work at Connie’s Inn in Harlem, the second nightspot in fame to the Cotton Club, and a front for gangster Dutch Schultz. Dutch Schultz ( August 6, 1902 &ndash October 24, 1935) was a New York City -area gangster of the 1920s and 1930s Armstrong also had considerable success with vocal recordings, including versions of famous songs composed by his old friend Hoagy Carmichael. Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (November 22 1899 – December 27 1981 was an American Composer, Pianist, singer actor and bandleader His 1930s recordings took full advantage of the new RCA ribbon microphone, introduced in 1931, which imparted a characteristic warmth to vocals and immediately became an intrinsic part of the 'crooning' sound of artists like Bing Crosby. ribbon microphone is a type of Dynamic microphone that uses a thin Aluminum, Duraluminum or nanofilm ribbon placed between the poles of a magnet to generate Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Armstrong's famous interpretation of Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" became one of the most successful versions of this song ever recorded, showcasing Armstrong's unique vocal sound and style, and his innovative approach to singing songs that had already become standards. " Stardust " is an American Popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with the lyrics added in 1929 by Mitchell Parish.

Armstrong's radical re-working of Sidney Arodin and Carmichael's "Lazy River" (recorded in 1931) encapsulated many features of his groundbreaking approach to melody and phrasing. Sidney Arnandan or Arnondrin, better known as Sidney Arodin (March 29 1901 Westwego Louisiana - February 6 1948 New Orleans) was an American The song begins with a brief trumpet solo, then the main melody is stated by sobbing horns, which are memorably punctuated by Armstrong's growling interjections at the end of each bar: "Yeah! . . . "Uh-huh" . . . "Sure" . . . "Way down, way down". In the first verse, he ignores the notated melody entirely, and sings as if playing a trumpet solo, pitching most of the first line on a single note and using strongly syncopated phrasing. In the second stanza he breaks into an almost fully improvised melody, which then evolves into a classic passage of Armstrong "scat singing. In Vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with random vocables and syllables or without words at all "

As with his trumpet playing, Armstrong's vocal innovations served as a foundation stone for the art of jazz vocal interpretation. The uniquely gritty coloration of his voice became a musical archetype that was much imitated and endlessly impersonated. An archetype ( pronounced: /ˈɑːkɪtaɪp/ (Brit or /ˈɑrkɪtaɪp/ (Amer His scat singing style was enriched by his matchless experience as a trumpet soloist. His resonant, velvety lower-register tone and bubbling cadences on sides such as "Lazy River" exerted a huge influence on younger white singers such as Bing Crosby. Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular

The Depression of the early Thirties was especially hard on the Jazz scene. The Cotton Club closed in 1936 after a long downward spiral and many musicians stopped playing altogether as club dates evaporated. Bix Beiderbecke died and Fletcher Henderson’s band broke up. King Olivier made a few records but otherwise struggled. Sidney Bechet became a tailor and Kid Ory returned to New Orleans and raised chickens. ^[21] Armstrong moved to Los Angeles in 1930 seeking new opportunities. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West He played at the New Cotton Club in LA with Lionel Hampton on drums, and the band drew the Hollywood crowd which could still afford a lavish night life, and radio broadcasts from the club connected with younger audiences at home. Lionel Leo Hampton ( April 20, 1908 &ndash August 31, 2002) was an American Jazz Vibraphonist, Percussionist Bing Crosby and many other celebrities were regulars at the club. Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular In 1931, Armstrong appeared in his first movie, Ex-Flame. Armstrong was convicted of marijuana possession but received a suspended sentence. He returned to Chicago in late 1931, and played in bands more in the Guy Lombardo vein and he recorded more standards. Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (born June 19, 1902 in London Ontario; died November 5, 1977) was a Canadian When the mob insisted that he get out of town, Armstrong visited New Orleans and got a hero’s welcome, and saw old friends. He sponsored a local baseball team known as “Armstrong’s Secret Nine” and got a cigar named after himself. ^[22] But soon he was on the road again and after a tour across the country shadowed by the mob, Armstrong decided to go to Europe to escape.

After returning to the States, he undertook several exhausting tours. His agent Johnny Collins’ erratic behavior and his own spending ways left Armstrong short of cash. Breach of contract violations plagued him. Finally, he hired Joe Glaser as his new manager, a tough mob-connected wheeler-dealer, who began to straighten out his legal mess, his mob troubles, and his debts. Armstrong also began to experience problems with his fingers and lips, which were aggravated by his unorthodox playing style. As a result he branched out, developing his vocal style and making his first theatrical appearances. He appeared in movies again. In 1937, Armstrong substituted for Rudy Vallee on the CBS radio network and became the first black to host a sponsored, national broadcast. Rudy Vallée ( July 28, 1901 - July 3, 1986) was an American Singer, Actor, Bandleader, and entertainer ^[23] He finally divorced Lil in 1938 and married longtime girlfriend Alpha.

At the Aquarium in New York City, ca. 1946

After spending many years on the road, he settled permanently in Queens, New York in 1943 in contentment with his fourth wife, Lucille. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Although subject to the vicissitudes of Tin Pan Alley and the gangster-ridden music business, as well as anti-black prejudice, he continued to develop his playing. Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City -centered music publishers and Songwriters who dominated the popular For other uses see Gangsta. A gangster is a criminal who is or at some point almost invariably becomes a member of a persistent violent He recorded Hoagy Carmichael's Rockin' Chair for Okeh Records. " Rockin' Chair " is Popular song with music by Hoagy Carmichael. Okeh Records began as an Independent record label based in the United States of America in

During the subsequent thirty years, Armstrong played more than three hundred gigs a year. Bookings for big bands tapered off during the 1940s due to changes in public tastes: ballrooms closed, and there was competition from television and from other types of music becoming more popular than big band music. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic It became impossible under such circumstances to support and finance a 16-piece touring band.

The All Stars

Following a highly successful small-group jazz concert at New York Town Hall on May 17, 1947, featuring Armstrong with Jack Teagarden, Armstrong's manager Joe Glaser dissolved the Armstrong big band on August 13, 1947 and established a six-piece small group featuring Armstrong with (initially) Teagarden, Earl Hines and other top swing and dixieland musicians, most of them ex-big band leaders. Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden ( August 20, 1905 &ndash January 15, 1964) was an influential Jazz Trombonist and Events 3114 BC - According to the Lounsbury correlation the start of the Maya calendar. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, ( 28 December, 1903 Duquesne Pennsylvania &ndash 22 April The new group was announced at the opening of Billy Berg's Supper Club.

This group was called the All Stars, and included at various times Earl "Fatha" Hines, Barney Bigard, Edmond Hall, Jack Teagarden, Trummy Young, Arvell Shaw, Billy Kyle, Marty Napoleon, Big Sid Catlett, Cozy Cole, Barrett Deems and the Filipino-American percussionist, Danny Barcelona. Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, ( 28 December, 1903 Duquesne Pennsylvania &ndash 22 April Albany Leon Bigard ( March 3, 1906 &ndash June 27, 1980) aka Barney Bigard, was an American Jazz Clarinetist Edmond Hall ( 15 May, 1901 in New Orleans &ndash 11 February, 1967 in Boston) was a United States jazz clarinetist from Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden ( August 20, 1905 &ndash January 15, 1964) was an influential Jazz Trombonist and James "Trummy" Young (born January 12, 1912 in Savannah Georgia, died September 10, 1984 in San Jose California Arvell Shaw (Septermber 15 1923 St Louis Missouri - December 5 2002 Roosevelt New York) was an American Jazz Double-bassist best known William Osborne "Billy" Kyle ( July 14, 1914 - February 23, 1966) was an American Jazz Pianist. Marty Napoleon (born June 2, 1921) is an American Jazz Pianist born in Brooklyn New York, perhaps best-known for having Sidney Catlett (born January 17, 1910 &ndash March 25, 1951) was a swinging jazz drummer often referred to as "Big Cozy Cole ( October 17 1909 – January 31 1981) was a jazz drummer who scored a #1 hit with the record Barrett Deems ( March 1, 1914 &ndash September 15, 1998) was an American Swing music jazz drummer born in Filipino Americans are Americans of Philippine ancestry which trace back to the Philippines, an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia. Danny Barcelona ( July 23 1929 - April 1 2007) was an international Jazz -band drummer for Louis Armstrong 's All-Stars During this period, Armstrong made many recordings and appeared in over thirty films. He appeared on the cover of Time Magazine on February 21, 1949. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and

In 1964, he recorded his biggest-selling record, "Hello, Dolly!". " Hello Dolly! " is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. The song went to #1 on the pop chart, making Armstrong (age 63) the oldest person to ever accomplish that feat. In the process, Armstrong dislodged The Beatles from the #1 position they had occupied for 14 consecutive weeks with three different songs. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 ^[24]

Armstrong kept up his busy tour schedule until a few years before his death in 1971. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. In his later years he would sometimes play some of his numerous gigs by rote, but other times would enliven the most mundane gig with his vigorous playing, often to the astonishment of his band. He also toured Africa, Europe, and Asia under sponsorship of the US State Department with great success, earning the nickname "Ambassador Satch. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. " While failing health restricted his schedule in his last years, within those limitations he continued playing until the day he died.

Autograph of Armstrong on the muretto of Alassio

Personality

The nickname Satchmo or Satch is short for Satchelmouth (describing his embouchure). Alassio is a town and Comune of Liguria, Italy, on the coast of the Gulf of Genoa, in the Province of Savona. A satchel is a Bag used by many people to carry Books, and other objects in The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the Mouthpiece of a Wind instrument. In 1932, then Melody Maker magazine editor Percy Brooks greeted Armstrong in London with "Hello, Satchmo!" shortening Satchelmouth (some say unintentionally), and it stuck. Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly Music Newspaper London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom.

Early on he was also known as Dippermouth. This is a reference to the propensity he had for refreshing himself with the dipper (ladle) from a bucket of sugar water which was always present on stage with Joe Oliver's band in Chicago in the early nineteen-twenties.

The damage to his embouchure from his high pressure approach to playing is acutely visible in many pictures of Louis from the mid-twenties. The embouchure is the use of facial muscles and the shaping of the lips to the Mouthpiece of a Wind instrument. It also led to his emphasizing his singing career because at certain periods, he was unable to play. This did not stop Louis though, because after setting his trumpet aside for a while, he amended his playing style and continued his trumpet career. Friends and fellow musicians usually called him Pops, which is also how Armstrong usually addressed his friends and fellow musicians (except for Pops Foster, whom Armstrong always called "George"). George Murphy "Pops" Foster ( May 19, 1892 - October 29, 1969) was a Jazz Musician best known for his vigorous

Satchmo's autograph from the 1960s

He was also criticized for accepting the title of "King of The Zulus" -- in the New Orleans African-American community, an honored role as head of leading black Carnival Krewe, but bewildering or offensive to outsiders with their traditional costume of grass-skirts and blackface makeup satirizing southern white attitudes -- for Mardi Gras 1949. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club (founded 1916 is a Carnival Krewe in New Orleans Louisiana which puts on the Zulu parade each Mardi New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana A Krewe (pronounced in the same way as "crew" is an organization that puts on a Parade and or a ball for the Carnival season Blackface in the narrow sense is a style of theatrical Makeup that originated in the United See also Mardi Gras Mardi Gras in New Orleans Louisiana is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world

Whatever the case, where some saw a gregarious and outgoing personality, others saw someone trying too hard to appeal to white audiences and essentially becoming a minstrel caricature. The minstrel show, or minstrelsy, was an American entertainment consisting of comic skits variety acts dancing, and Music, Some musicians criticized Armstrong for playing in front of segregated audiences, and for not taking a strong enough stand in the civil rights movement suggesting that he was an Uncle Tom. The American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968 refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing racial discrimination against African Uncle Tom is a Pejorative for a black person who is perceived by others as behaving in a subservient manner to White American authority figures or Billie Holiday countered, however, "Of course Pops toms, but he toms from the heart. Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7 1915 – July 17 1959 was an American Jazz singer and songwriter "

Armstrong, in fact, was a major financial supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists, but mostly preferred to work quietly behind the scenes, not mixing his politics with his work as an entertainer. Martin Luther King Jr ( January 15, 1929 April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, Activist and prominent leader The few exceptions made it more effective when he did speak out. Armstrong's criticism of President Eisenhower, calling him "two-faced" and "gutless" because of his inaction during the conflict over school desegregation in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 made national news. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general The Little Rock Nine was a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957 Desegregation is the process of ending Racial segregation, most commonly used in reference to the United States. Little Rock is the Capital and the most populous city of the U Arkansas ( is a state located in the southern region of the United States. As a protest, Armstrong canceled a planned tour of the Soviet Union on behalf of the State Department saying "The way they're treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell" and that he could not represent his government abroad when it was in conflict with its own people. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 ^[25] The FBI kept a file on Armstrong, for his outspokenness about integration. ^[26]

He was an extremely generous man, who was said to have given away as much money as he kept for himself. Armstrong was also greatly concerned with his health and bodily functions. He made frequent use of laxatives as a means of controlling his weight, a practice he advocated both to personal acquaintances and in the diet plans he published under the title Lose Weight the Satchmo Way. Laxatives (or purgatives) are foods compounds or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool most often taken to treat Constipation. Armstrong's laxative of preference in his younger days was Pluto Water, but he then became an enthusiastic convert when he discovered the herbal remedy Swiss Kriss. Pluto Water was a Trademark for a strongly Laxative natural water product which was very popular in the United States in the early 20th century He would extol its virtues to anyone who would listen and pass out packets to everyone he encountered, including members of the British Royal Family. The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. (Armstrong also appeared in humorous, albeit risqué, advertisements for Swiss Kriss; the ads bore a picture of him sitting on a toilet — as viewed through a keyhole — with the slogan "Satch says, 'Leave it all behind ya!'")^[27]

The concern with his health and weight was balanced by his love of food, reflected in such songs as "Big Butter & Egg Man", "Cheesecake", "Cornet Chop Suey", and, especially, "Struttin’ with Some Barbecue". ^[28] He kept a strong connection throughout his life to the cooking of New Orleans, always signing his letters, "Red beans and ricely yours,". Louisiana Creole cuisine is a style of Cooking originating in Louisiana (centered on the Greater New Orleans area that blends French, ^[29]

Although Armstrong is not known to have fathered any children, he loved children and would go out of his way to entertain the neighborhood kids in Corona, and to encourage young musicians.

Armstrong’s gregariousness extended to writing. On the road, he wrote constantly. Many of the favorite themes of his life he shared with correspondents around the world. He avidly typed or wrote on whatever stationery was at hand, instant takes on music, sex, food, childhood memories, his heavy “medicinal” marijuana use, and even his bowel movements, which were gleefully described. ^[30] He had a fondness for lewd jokes and dirty limericks as well.

Armstrong was an avid audiophile. He had a large collection of recordings, including reel-to-reel tapes which he took on the road with him in a trunk during his later career. He enjoyed listening to his own recordings, and comparing his performances musically. In the den of his home, he had the latest audio equipment and would sometimes rehearse and record along with his older recordings or the radio. ^[31]

Music

Armstrong gained fame as a horn player, then later became better known as a bandleader, vocalist, musical ambassador, and founding figure in much modern American music.

Horn playing and early jazz

In his early years, Armstrong was best known for his virtuosity with the cornet and trumpet. The greatest trumpet playing of his early years can be heard on his Hot Five and Hot Seven records. The Hot Five was Louis Armstrong 's first Jazz recording band led under his own name Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven was a Jazz studio group organized to make a series of recordings for Okeh Records in Chicago Illinois in May 1927 The improvisations which he made on these records of New Orleans jazz standards and popular songs of the day continue to stack up brilliantly alongside those of any other later jazz performer. The older generation of New Orleans jazz musicians often referred to their improvisations as "variating the melody"; Armstrong's improvisations were daring and sophisticated for the time while often subtle and melodic.

He often essentially re-composed pop-tunes he played, making them more interesting. Armstrong's playing is filled with joyous, inspired original melodies, creative leaps, and subtle relaxed or driving rhythms. The genius of these creative passages is matched by Armstrong's playing technique, honed by constant practice, which extended the range, tone and capabilities of the trumpet. In these records, Armstrong almost single-handedly created the role of the jazz soloist, taking what was essentially a collective folk music and turning it into an art form with tremendous possibilities for individual expression.

Armstrong's work in the 1920s shows him playing at the outer limits of his abilities. The Hot Five records, especially, often have minor flubs and missed notes, which do little to detract from listening enjoyment since the energy of the spontaneous performance comes through. By the mid 1930s, Armstrong achieved a smooth assurance, knowing exactly what he could do and carrying out his ideas with perfectionism.

Vocal popularity

As his music progressed and popularity grew, his singing also became important. Armstrong was not the first to record scat singing, but he was masterful at it and helped popularize it. In Vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with random vocables and syllables or without words at all He had a hit with his playing and scat singing on "Heebie Jeebies" when, according to some legends, the sheet music fell on the floor and he simply started singing nonsense syllables. Songs " Heebie Jeebies " is the name of more than one melody Armstrong stated in his memoirs that this actually occurred. He also sang out "I done forgot the words" in the middle of recording "I'm A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas".

Such records were hits and scat singing became a major part of his performances. Long before this, however, Armstrong was playing around with his vocals, shortening and lengthening phrases, interjecting improvisations, using his voice as creatively as his trumpet.

Colleagues and followers

During his long career he played and sang with the most important instrumentalists and vocalists; among the many, singing brakeman Jimmie Rodgers, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Bessie Smith, and notably with Ella Fitzgerald. A brakeman is a trainboard Rail transport worker in the US Historically Jimmie Rodgers ( September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) an early purveyor of Delta blues, known as "The Singing Brakeman" Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. Fletcher Hamilton Henderson Jr ( December 18, 1897 &ndash December 28, 1952) was an American pianist bandleader Arranger Bessie Smith (July 9 1892 or April 15 1894&ndash September 26 1937 was an American Blues singer Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential

His influence upon Bing Crosby is particularly important with regard to the subsequent development of popular music: Crosby admired and copied Armstrong, as is evident on many of his early recordings, notably "Just One More Chance" (1931). The New Grove Dictionary Of Jazz describes Crosby's debt to Armstrong in perfect detail, although it does not acknowledge Armstrong by name: "Crosby. . . was important in introducing into the mainstream of popular singing an Afro-American concept of song as a lyrical extension of speech. . . His techniques - easing the weight of the breath on the vocal cords, passing into a head voice at a low register, using forward production to aid distinct enunciation, singing on consonants (a practice of black singers), and making discreet use of appoggiaturas, mordents, and slurs to emphasize the text - were emulated by nearly all later popular singers".

Armstrong recorded three albums with Ella Fitzgerald: Ella and Louis, Ella and Louis Again, and Porgy and Bess for Verve Records, with the sessions featuring the backing musicianship of the Oscar Peterson Trio and drummer Buddy Rich. Ella and Louis is a 1956 studio album (see 1956 in music) by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, and the Oscar Peterson Quartet Ella and Louis Again is a 1957 studio album (see 1957 in music) by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Porgy & Bess is a 1957 album (see 1957 in music) by the Jazz vocalist and trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and the Jazz singer Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group. Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt ( 15 August 1925 – 23 December 2007) was a Canadian Bernard "Buddy" Rich ( September 30 1917 &ndash April 2 1987) was an American jazz drummer and Bandleader His recordings Satch Plays Fats, all Fats Waller tunes, and Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy in the 1950s were perhaps among the last of his great creative recordings, but even oddities like Disney Songs the Satchmo Way are seen to have their musical moments. Fats Waller (born Thomas Wright Waller on May 21, 1904 &mdash December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist Louis Armstrong Plays WC Handy is a 1954 studio release by Louis Armstrong and His All Stars, described by All Music as "Louis Armstrong's finest And, his participation in Dave Brubeck's high-concept jazz musical The Real Ambassadors was critically acclaimed. David Warren Brubeck (born December 6, 1920 in Concord California) better known as Dave Brubeck, is an American jazz pianist The Real Ambassadors is a Jazz musical developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Dave and Iola Brubeck, in collaboration with Louis Armstrong For the most part, however, his later output was criticized as being overly simplistic or repetitive.

Hits and later career

Armstrong had many hit records including "Stardust", "What a Wonderful World", "When The Saints Go Marching In", "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "Ain't Misbehavin'", and "Stompin' at the Savoy". " Stardust " is an American Popular song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with the lyrics added in 1929 by Mitchell Parish. " What a Wonderful World " is a song by Bob Thiele (using the pseudonym George Douglas and George David Weiss. " When the Saints Go Marching In " so well-known that it is often referred to as " The Saints " is a United States gospel Hymn Dream a Little Dream of Me is a Song, usually credited to Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, although classical composer Milton Adolphus " Ain't Misbehavin' " is a 1929 song written by Harry Brooks with Fats Waller (music and Andy Razaf (lyrics "We Have All the Time in the World" featured on the soundtrack of the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and enjoyed renewed popularity in the UK in 1994 when it featured on a Guinness advert. "We Have All the Time in the World" is a James Bond theme and popular Song sung by Louis Armstrong. James Bond 007 is a Fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve Novels and two Short story On Her Majesty's Secret Service, released in 1969, is the sixth Spy film in the James Bond series, and the only one to star George Guinness (ˈɡɪnɪs is a popular Dry stout that originated in Arthur Guinness ' brewery at St It reached number 3 in the charts on being re-released.

In 1964, Armstrong knocked the Beatles off the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart with "Hello, Dolly", which gave the 63-year-old performer a U. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " Hello Dolly! " is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. S. record as the oldest artist to have a #1 song. In 1968, Armstrong scored one last popular hit in the United Kingdom with the highly sentimental pop song "What a Wonderful World", which topped the British charts for a month; however, the single did not chart at all in America. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located " What a Wonderful World " is a song by Bob Thiele (using the pseudonym George Douglas and George David Weiss. The song gained greater currency in the popular consciousness when it was used in the 1987 movie Good Morning, Vietnam, its subsequent rerelease topping many charts around the world. Good Morning Vietnam is a 1987 Comedy-drama film set in Saigon during the Vietnam War, based on the career of Adrian Cronauer Armstrong even appeared on the 28 October 1970 Johnny Cash Show, where he sang Nat "King" Cole's hit "Rambling Rose" and joined Cash to re-create his performance backing Jimmie Rodgers on "Blue Yodel # 9. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17 1919 &ndash February 15 1965 known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician The Blue Yodel songs are a series of thirteen songs written and recorded by Jimmie Rodgers during the period from 1927 to his death in May 1933 ""

Stylistic range

Niki de Saint Phalle's rendition of Armstrong, Chicago. Niki de Saint Phalle, born Catherine-Marie-Agnès Fal de Saint Phalle ( October 29 1930 &ndash May 22, 2002) was a French

Armstrong enjoyed many types of music, from blues to the arrangements of Guy Lombardo, to Latin American folksongs, to classical symphonies and opera. Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (born June 19, 1902 in London Ontario; died November 5, 1977) was a Canadian Opera is an art form in which Singers and Musicians perform a Dramatic work (called an opera which combines a text (called a Libretto Armstrong incorporated influences from all these sources into his performances, sometimes to the bewilderment of fans who wanted Armstrong to stay in convenient narrow categories. Armstrong was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Some of his solos from the 1950s, such as the hard rocking version of "St. Louis Blues" from the WC Handy album, show that the influence went in both directions. Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African " St Louis Blues " is an American popular Song composed by William Christopher Handy in the Blues style

Literature, Radio, films and TV

Armstrong appeared in more than a dozen Hollywood films, usually playing a band leader or musician. His most familiar role was as the bandleader cum narrator in the 1956 musical, High Society, in which he sang the title song and performed a duet with Bing Crosby on "Now You Has Jazz". The musical film is a Film genre in which several Songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative High Society ( 1956) is Musical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in VistaVision and Technicolor with music and lyrics Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular " Now You Has Jazz " is a song written by Cole Porter for the 1956 film High Society, where it was introduced by Bing Crosby and In 1947, he played himself in the movie New Orleans opposite Billie Holiday, which chronicled the demise of the Storyville district and the ensuing exodus of musicians from New Orleans to Chicago[2]. New Orleans is a 1947 musical drama featuring Billie Holiday as a singing maid and Louis Armstrong as a bandleader Holiday and Armstrong perform together Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7 1915 – July 17 1959 was an American Jazz singer and songwriter This article is about the New Orleans district For other things named "Storyville" see Storyville (disambiguation. He was the first African American to host a nationally broadcast radio show in the 1930s. Radio is the transmission of signals by Modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible Light. He was heard on such radio programs as The Story of Swing (1937) and This Is Jazz (1947), and he also made countless television appearances, especially in the 1950s and 1960s, including appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a late-night talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the ''Tonight Show'' franchise from 1962

Louis Armstrong has a record star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 7601 Hollywood Boulevard. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that

Many of Armstrong's recordings remain popular. Almost four decades since his passing, a larger number of his recordings from all periods of his career are more widely available than at any time during his lifetime. His songs are broadcast and listened to every day throughout the world, and are honored in various movies, TV series, commercials, and even anime and computer games. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U Advertising is a form of Communication that typically attempts to persuade potential Customers to Purchase or to consume more of a particular Brand (anime in Japanese, A personal computer Game (also known as a computer game or simply PC game) is a Video game played on a Personal computer, rather "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" was included in the computer game Fallout 2, accompanying the intro cinematic (and the year after in the movie Sleepless in Seattle). Fallout 2 is a Computer role-playing game published by Interplay in 1998 Sleepless in Seattle is a 1993 American comedy-drama Film written and directed by Nora Ephron. His 1923 recordings, with Joe Oliver and his Creole Jazz Band, continue to be listened to as documents of ensemble style New Orleans jazz, but more particularly as ripper jazz records in their own right. Dixieland or Dixie is a name for the southeastern portion of the USA; see Southern United States, Dixie. All too often, however, Armstrong recorded with stiff, standard orchestras leaving only his sublime trumpet playing as of interest. "Melancholy Blues," performed by Armstrong and his Hot Seven was included on the Voyager Golden Record sent into outer space to represent one of the greatest achievements of humanity. The Voyager Golden Record is a Phonograph record included in the two Voyager Spacecraft launched in 1977 Most familiar to modern listeners is his ubiquitous rendition of "What a Wonderful World. " What a Wonderful World " is a song by Bob Thiele (using the pseudonym George Douglas and George David Weiss. "

Argentine writer Julio Cortázar, a self-described Armstrong admirer, asserted that a 1952 Louis Armstrong concert at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris played a significant role in inspiring him to create the fictional creatures called Cronopios that are the subject of a number of Cortázar's short stories. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Julio Cortázar, born Jules Florencio Cortázar ( August 26, 1914 &ndash February 12, 1984) was an Argentine Author The Théâtre des Champs-Élysées is a Parisian Theatre, famous for being the place of the scandal related to the first performance of Igor Stravinsky A cronopio is a type of fictional person appearing in works by Argentine writer Julio Cortázar ( August 26, 1914 &ndash February 12 Cortázar once called Louis Armstrong himself "Grandísimo Cronopio" (Most Enormous Cronopio).

Armstrong also appears as a minor character in Harry Turtledove's Timeline-191 series. Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14 1949) is an American historian and novelist who has written Historical fiction, Fantasy, and Timeline-191 is a fan name given to a series of Harry Turtledove alternate history Novels including How Few Remain as well as When he and his band escape from a Nazi-like Confederacy, they enhance the insipid mainstream music of the North. Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German

There is a pivotal scene in 1980's Stardust Memories in which Woody Allen is overwhelmed by a recording of Armstrong's Stardust and experiences a nostalgic epiphany[3]. Stardust Memories is a 1980 film written and directed by Woody Allen. Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; December 1 1935 is an American Film director, Writer, Actor, Comedian, and The combination of the music and the perfect moment is the catalyst for much of the film's action, prompting the protagonist to fall in love with an ill-advised woman [4].

Louis Armstrong is also referred to in The Trumpet of the Swan along with Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. This article refers to the children's novel For the animated film see The Trumpet of the Swan (film The Trumpet of the Swan Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7 1915 – July 17 1959 was an American Jazz singer and songwriter Three siblings in the film are named Louis, Billie, and Ella. The main character, Louis, plays a trumpet, an obvious nod to Armstrong.

In the original EB White book, he is referred to by name by a child who hears Louis playing and comments "He sounds just like Louis Armstrong, the famous trumpet player".

Death

Armstrong died of a heart attack on July 6, 1971, at age 69, 11 months^[32] after playing a famous show at the Waldorf Astoria's Empire Room. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Shortly before his death he stated, "I think I had a beautiful life. I didn't wish for anything that I couldn't get and I got pretty near everything I wanted because I worked for it. "^[33] He was residing in Corona, Queens, New York City, at the time of his passing. Corona Queens (zip code 11368 is a neighborhood in the former Township of Newtown in the New York City borough of Queens surrounded by Flushing The City of New York He was interred in Flushing Cemetery, Flushing, in Queens, New York City. Flushing Cemetery is a Cemetery in Flushing in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. Flushing, founded in 1645 is a neighborhood in the north central part of the City of New York borough of Queens, ten miles (16 km east of Manhattan The City of New York His honorary pallbearers included Governor Rockefeller, Mayor Lindsay, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Guy Lombardo, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Pearl Bailey, Count Basie, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Earl Wilson, Alan King, Johnny Carson, David Frost, Merv Griffin, Dick Cavett and Bobby Hackett. Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller ( July 8, 1908 January 26, 1979) was the forty-first Vice President of the United States, the forty-ninth John Vliet Lindsay ( November 24, 1921 – December 19, 2000) was an American Politician who served as a member of the Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Gaetano Alberto "Guy" Lombardo (born June 19, 1902 in London Ontario; died November 5, 1977) was a Canadian Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie ( October 21 1917 &ndash January 6 1993) was an American Jazz Trumpeter Pearl Mae Bailey ( March 29, 1918 – August 17, 1990) was an American singer and actress William "Count" Basie ( August 21, 1904 &ndash April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, Organist Harry James ( March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American Musician and Band leader, and a well-known Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor Edward Vincent "Ed" Sullivan ( September 28, 1901 – October 13, 1974) was an American Entertainment Writer Earl Wilson may refer to Earl Wilson (politician (1906-1990 U Alan King may refer to Alan King (comedian, American comedian Alan King (filmmaker, Canadian documentary filmmaker John William “Johnny” Carson ( October 23, 1925 &ndash January 23, 2005) was an American Television host and Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE (born 7 April 1939) is an English Satirist and Television presenter, famed as both a Mervyn Edward "Merv" Griffin Jr ( July 6, 1925 &ndash August 12, 2007) was an American Television host and Richard Alva "Dick" Cavett (born November 19, 1936) is an American former Television Talk show host known for his conversational Robert Leo "Bobby" Hackett ( January 31, 1915 - June 7, 1976) was a Jazz musician who played Trumpet, Jazz/Pop vocalist Peggy Lee sang The Lord's Prayer at the services. She was one of Louis's favorite singers.

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

Armstrong was posthumously awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972, by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to "performers who during their lifetimes have made creative contributions of outstanding Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy's National Trustees to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artist significance to the field of recording. ^[34]

Grammy Hall of Fame

Recordings of Armstrong were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance. " Hello Dolly! " is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. "^[35][36]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame listed a song by Armstrong on the list of 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. " St Louis Blues " is an American popular Song composed by William Christopher Handy in the Blues style Earl Kenneth Hines, universally known as Earl "Fatha" Hines, ( 28 December, 1903 Duquesne Pennsylvania &ndash 22 April " All Of Me " is a Popular song and Jazz standard written by Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons in 1931 Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential " Hello Dolly! " is the title song of the popular 1964 musical of the same name. Songs " Heebie Jeebies " is the name of more than one melody " What a Wonderful World " is a song by Bob Thiele (using the pseudonym George Douglas and George David Weiss. Mack the Knife or The Ballad of Mack the Knife, originally Die Moritat von Mackie Messer, is a song composed by Kurt Weill " St Louis Blues " is an American popular Song composed by William Christopher Handy in the Blues style Bessie Smith (July 9 1892 or April 15 1894&ndash September 26 1937 was an American Blues singer " West End Blues " is a multi-strain 12 bar blues composition by Joe "King" Oliver. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States ^[37]

Inductions and honors

US Postage Stamp 1995

In 1995, the U.S. Post Office issues a Louis Armstrong 32 cents commemorative postage stamp. " West End Blues " is a multi-strain 12 bar blues composition by Joe "King" Oliver. Okeh Records began as an Independent record label based in the United States of America in The Hot Five was Louis Armstrong 's first Jazz recording band led under his own name Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 This article lists people who have been featured on United States Postage stamps Since the United States Post Office issued its first stamp in 1847 over 4000 stamps have been issued and

Legacy

On December 31, 1999, US President Bill Clinton announced that Armstrong's trumpet was among several items of national memorabilia that were to be interred in a Millennial time capsule to be opened 100 years later. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States ^[38]

Today, the house where Louis Armstrong lived at the time of his death (and which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977) is a museum. A National Historic Landmark (NHL is a Building, site, Structure, Object, or District, that is officially recognized by the Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays A museum is a "permanent institution in the service of society and of its development open to the public which acquires conserves researches communicates and exhibits the The Louis Armstrong House & Archives, at 34-56 107th Street (between 34th and 35th Avenues) in Corona, Queens, presents concerts and educational programs, operates as an historic house museum and makes materials in its archives of writings, books, recordings and memorabilia available to the public for research. The museum is operated by the City University of New York's Queens College, following the dictates of Armstrong’s will. Queens College, located in Flushing, Queens, New York City, is one of the senior Colleges of the City University of New York. In Common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the Testator) regulates the rights of others over his or her Property

See also: Louis Armstrong House & Archives

The museum was opened to the public on October 15, 2003. The Louis Armstrong House was the home of Louis Armstrong and his wife Lucille between 1943 and 1971 when he died Events 533 - Byzantine General Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. In 2005, it was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The City of New York The Carnegie Corporation of New York is a nonprofit organization in the United States. Michael Rubens Bloomberg (born February 14, 1942) is an American businessman and the Mayor of New York City. ^[39][40]

The influence of Armstrong on the development of jazz is virtually immeasurable. Yet, his irrepressible personality both as a performer, and as a public figure later in his career, was so strong that to some it sometimes overshadowed his contributions as a musician and singer.

As a virtuoso trumpet player, Armstrong had a unique tone and an extraordinary talent for melodic improvisation. Improvisation (also called extemporization) is the practice of acting singing talking and reacting of making and creating in the moment and in response to the stimulus of Through his playing, the trumpet emerged as a solo instrument in jazz and is used widely today. He was a masterful accompanist and ensemble player in addition to his extraordinary skills as a soloist. With his innovations, he raised the bar musically for all who came after him.

Armstrong is considered by some to have essentially invented jazz singing. Ethel Waters precedes his scatting on record in the 1930s according to Gary Giddens and others (See Ken Burns' Jazz CD Set liner notes). Ethel Waters ( October 31, 1896 &ndash September 1, 1977) was an American Blues and Jazz Vocalist Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He had an extremely distinctive gravelly voice, which he deployed with great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also greatly skilled at scat singing, or wordless vocalizing. Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra are just two singers who were greatly indebted to him. Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7 1915 – July 17 1959 was an American Jazz singer and songwriter Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor Holiday said that she always wanted Bessie Smith's 'big' sound and Armstrong's feeling in her singing. Bessie Smith (July 9 1892 or April 15 1894&ndash September 26 1937 was an American Blues singer

On August 4, 2001, the centennial of Armstrong's birth, New Orleans' airport was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport in his honor. Events 70 - The Destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, formerly known as Moisant Field, while other names for it are Louis Armstrong International Airport and

In 2002, the Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings (1925-1928) are preserved in the United States National Recording Registry, a registry of recordings selected yearly by the National Recording Preservation Board for preservation in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Hot Five was Louis Armstrong 's first Jazz recording band led under his own name The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally historically or aesthetically important and/or inform or reflect life in the United States The Library of Congress is the De facto National library of the United States and the research arm of the United States Congress ^[41]

The US Open tennis tournament's former main stadium was named Louis Armstrong Stadium in honor of Armstrong who had lived a few blocks from the site. The US Open Tennis tournament is one of the oldest tennis championships in the world first contested in 1881 Louis Armstrong Stadium is a Tennis stadium of the US Open, the last of each year's four Grand Slam tournaments ^[42]

Discography

• Louis Armstrong albums
• Louis Armstrong songs

Notes

References

• Armstrong, Louis. Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans. ISBN 0-306-80276-7
• Armstrong, Louis and Thomas Brothers. Armstrong, in His Own Words: Selected Writings. ISBN 0-19-514046-X
• Bergreen, Laurence. "Louis Armstrong: An Extravagant Life". ISBN 0-553-06768-0
• Brothers, Thomas "Louis Armstrong's New Orleans" ISBN 0-393-06109
• Jones Max and John Chilton. John James Chilton (born 16 July 1932 in London England is a British jazz trumpeter and writer Louis Armstrong Story. ISBN 0-306-803240
• Cogswell, Michael. Armstrong: The Offstage Story. ISBN 1-888054-81-6
• Meckna, Michael. Satchmo: The Louis Armstrong Encyclopedia. ISBN 0-313-30137-9
• Elie, Lolis Eric. A Letter from New Orleans. Originally printed in Gourmet. Reprinted in Best Food Writing 2006, Edited by Holly Hughes, ISBN 1-56924-287-9

External links

• louis-armstrong.net - SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
• Louis Armstrong at www.frenchcreoles.com
• Louis Armstrong by Nat Hentoff
• Obituary, NY Times
• Quotes and tributes
• Discography
• Filmography @ imdb.com
• Seeing Black jazz critic on the Uncle Tom question
• Satchmo.net, the official website of the Louis Armstrong House & Archives
• "Louis Armstrong Transcription Project - john p birchall"
• Pictorial Map of Jazz History in Queens
• Louis Armstrong at pbskids. org
• David Margolick, The Day Louis Armstrong Made Noise
• Louis Armstrong Memorial at Find A Grave