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February 04, 2009
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana USA was one of the leading trumpeters and most influential jazz artistes of his time.
Armstrong grew up poor and did odd jobs while listening to jazz music and singing in a boys' quartet. While spending time in Waifs Home for coloured juvenile delinquents (1913) he learned to play cornet in the home's band. Music quickly became his passion and in his teens he quickly learned more about music by listening to jazz musicians such as King Oliver. He became skilled and was soon playing in jazz bands and even replaced Oliver in the Kid Ory Band (1918), and played in Mississippi riverboat dance bands during the early 20's.
Oliver invited Armstrong to play second cornet in his Creole Jazz Band which included outstanding musicians such as Johnny and Baby Dodds and pianist Lil Hardin who he later married in 1924.
Armstrong recorded his first soloist pieces "Chimes Blues" and "Tears" which he produced with his wife.
Lil encouraged Armstrong to quit Oliver's band and he played in Fletcher Henderson's band in New York for a year before returning to Chicago to play in large orchestras. There he created his most important works - The Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings of 1925 - 1928 which made him the first jazz soloist. He recorded solo pieces such as "Hotter than That", "Struttin' with some Barbecue" among others. By this time Armstrong was playing trumpet and his style was far superior to that of his competitors.
By 1929 Armstrong was a famous musician, and performed in "Hot Chocolates". He toured America and Europe as a trumpet soloist. As his trumpet range expanded, he began to sing lyrics on most of his recordings using the the scat singing style, which he had invented.
Louis and Lil separated in 1931.
Joe Glaser, Armstrong's manager guided his film career 'Pennies from Heaven" (1936) and radio and television appearances where he was always featured as a good- humored entertainer.
He died on July 6, 1971.