To earn money, Armstrong sang on street corners, sold newspapers, and delivered coal. Rock Icon KISS Is Saying Goodbye (For Real), DOWNLOAD BIOGRAPHY'S LOUIS ARMSTRONG FACT CARD, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Louis Armstrong, Birth Year: 1901, Birth date: August 4, 1901, Birth State: Louisiana, Birth City: New Orleans, Birth Country: United States, Best Known For: Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter, bandleader and singer known for songs like "What a Wonderful World, Hello, Dolly, Star Dust and "La Vie En Rose., Astrological Sign: Leo. These records later went on to become the most influential in jazz history, as it was the first time Armstrong facilitated the evolution of jazz as a ensemble to a soloist art. Instead he used his talent as a ticket to improve his lot and create a meaningful life. Why Is Louis Armstrong Important - 1689 Words | Cram Why He moved to the Fate Marable band in the spring of 1919, staying with Marable until the fall of 1921. Sure enough, he explained, they [published] Heebie Jeebies the same way it was mistakenly recorded. However, most biographers believe that Armstrong made up this anecdote and had planned on scatting all along. To many young jazz listeners at the time, Armstrong's ever-smiling demeanor seemed like it was from a bygone era, and the trumpeter's refusal to comment on politics for many years only furthered perceptions that he was out of touch. Career highlights, compiled by the Louis Armstrong House Museum: In September, his recording of that song entered the charts, becoming a Top Ten hit. He weathered the bebop period of the '40s, growing ever more beloved worldwide. He interprets and contributes to the genre of jazz, creates great form through his performance in the Hot Chocolates, and his work represents a whole for equality and the civil rights movement. Armstrong was one of the first very popular, Being raised in a part of New Orleans known as "The Battlefield" because of its faulty economic situation is not ideal. Eventually tour ended and Louis went back home to continue his. Louis Armstrong is one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Louis Armstrongs significance and most famous songs In 1936, he became the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography. Louis Armstrong used to give away laxatives as gifts. Evidently, the show went well. WebLouis Armstrongs ability to use his career to change the music and jazz industry forever is another great example of why Louis Armstrong exhibits the right. Armstrong began to sing on the records, creating a new form of singing, scat singing. At the start of Armstrongs career, he married Daisy Parker. Outraged, Armstrong refused to stage another concert within the state's borders. On New Year's Eve in 1912, Armstrong fired his stepfather's gun in the air during a New Year's Eve celebration and was arrested on the spot. In 1914, the home released him, and he immediately began dreaming of a life making music. Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy The way they are treating my people in the South, declared Armstrong, the government can go to hell.. He was often left with his grandmother, and left school in fifth grade to start working. The Armstrongs moved into the home, where they would live for the rest of their lives, in 1943. The 1930s also found Armstrong achieving great popularity on radio, in films, and with his recordings. The single's B-side, and also a chart entry, was "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," sung by Armstrong in the film The Strip. Why In 1936, Louis Armstrong became the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography, Swing That Music. There are two kinds of music, the good and the bad. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Back in Chicago, OKeh Records decided to let Armstrong make his first records with a band under his own name: Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five. He was then sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. Armstrong spent the last decade of his life similarly that he had spent the four past enthralling groups of onlookers all through the world., Louis Blues, Overall Armstrong wrote and performed some of the most popular and well known jazz songs of all time. In 1924, Armstrong married Hardin, who urged Armstrong to leave Oliver and try to make it on his own. He performed in Europe for the first time in 1932 and returned in 1933, staying for over a year because of a damaged lip. While he was beloved by musicians, he was too wild for most critics, who gave him some of the most racist and harsh reviews of his career. However, Armstrong's southern background didn't mesh well with the more urban, Northern mentality of Henderson's other musicians, who sometimes gave Armstrong a hard time over his wardrobe and the way he talked. That didnt stop him from living his life like a regular boy. Nobody did what Louis could do. Armstrong was the primary ever "Genius" of jazz music. Dancers loved Hendersons music making Louis Armstrong a celebrity so when he left his old band, this would be a step up. Ironically, Armstrong later wrote the whole thing off as a big blunder on his part. Revisiting Louis Armstrong in the Context During his span, he composed thousands of songs for everyone to hear. By 1932, Armstrong, who was now known as Satchmo, had begun appearing in movies and made his first tour of England. What was Louis Armstrongs childhood like? The jazz magazine Down Beat agreed. Why is Louis Armstrong important? - Answers In April, he reached the charts with his first vocal recording, "Big Butter and Egg Man," a duet with May Alix. Louis Armstrong was important in the 1920's because he put a whole new meaning to jazz. He made his first recordings with Oliver on April 5, 1923; that day, he earned his first recorded solo on "Chimes Blues.". Why Is Louis Armstrong Important. His influence, both as an artist and Flappers were commonly known during this time. Read Full Biography. Heart and kidney problems forced him to stop performing in 1969. Handy and Satch Plays Fats. Legendary CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow followed Armstrong with a camera crew on some of his worldwide excursions, turning the resulting footage into a theatrical documentary, Satchmo the Great, released in 1957. Within a span of three years, Armstrong recorded over sixty records. WebLouis Armstrong is arguably the most important musician that the United States has ever produced (Shipton 160). Seems to me it ain't the world that's so bad but what we're doing to it, and all I'm saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we'd give it a chance. Armstrong continued to appear in major films with the likes of Mae West, Martha Raye and Dick Powell. Although he is often thought of by the general public as a lovable, clowning personality, a gravel-voiced singer who played simple but dramatic trumpet in a New Orleans-styled Dixieland setting, Armstrong himself was so much more. He was from a very poor family and was sent to reform school when he was twelve after firing a gun in the air on New Year's Eve. When Pops (who adored Thiele and Weiss masterwork) passed away on July 6, 1971, What a Wonderful World seemed destined for stateside obscurity. His crucial contribution to American and world culture continues to reverberate into the 21 st century. A few weeks later after his birth his father leaves his mother alone with a family. He returned to Chicago in the spring of 1932 to front a band led by Zilner Randolph; the group toured around the country. WebLouis Armstrongs ability to use his career to change the music and jazz industry forever is another great example of why Louis Armstrong exhibits the right. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! He returned to Broadway in the short-lived musical Swingin' the Dream in November 1939. It did not gain as much notice in the U.S. until 1987, when it was used in the film Good Morning, Vietnam, after which it became a Top 40 hit. Armstrong continued a grueling touring schedule into the late '50s, and it caught up with him in 1959, when he had a heart attack while traveling in Spoleto, Italy. The musician didn't let the incident stop him, however, and after taking a few weeks off to recover, he was back on the road, performing 300 nights a year into the 1960s. He began touring the country in the 1940s. he put his soul and dedicated his life to his music. His lips were still sore, and there were still remnants of his mob troubles and with Lil, who, following the couple's split, was suing Armstrong. WebRather than appealing simply to the crowd of already established jazz lovers, Louis Armstrong was effective at bridging the gap and reaching out to those that may not have been as familiar with the genre and effectively serving as one of the best ambassadors that the jazz world has ever known. WebLouis Armstrong remains an icon of American history and 20 th century popular culture. Jazz Giant Louis Armstrong Was Born - America's Library They treat me better all over the world than they do in my hometown, he said. His rise to the top, though not overnight, occurred quickly, he played with mostly all the major bands in New Orleans over the next few years (Friedwald 350). It started in New Orleans and over the years, stretched out throughout the whole United States. There, under the tutelage of Peter Davis, he learned how to properly play the cornet, eventually becoming the leader of the Waifs Home Brass Band. WebBy the '50s, Armstrong was an established international celebrity--an icon to musicians and lovers of jazz--and a genial, infectiously optimistic presence wherever he appeared. His charismatic stage presence impressed not only the jazz world but all of popular music. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. He was also a gifted singer, and his "What a Wonderful World" peaked on the U.S. music charts after Armstrong passed away. He was taken under the wing of cornetist Joe "King" Oliver, and when Oliver moved to Chicago in June 1918, Armstrong replaced him in the Kid Ory Band. Louis Armstrong - Black History Month - LibGuides at His resurgence in the '60s with hit recordings like 1965's Grammy-winning "Hello Dolly" and 1968's classic "What a Wonderful World" solidified his legacy as a musical and cultural icon. He is a husky singer, often with a trumpet in his hand. In 1937, Louis Armstrong became the first African American entertainer to host a nationally sponsored radio show. A jazz pioneer, Louis Armstrong was the first important soloist to emerge in jazz, and he became the most influential musician in the music's history. In June 1951 he reached the Top Ten of the LP charts with Satchmo at Symphony Hall ("Satchmo" being his nickname), and he scored his first Top Ten single in five years with "(When We Are Dancing) I Get Ideas" later in the year. That's the secret. He showed an early interest in music, and a junk dealer for whom he worked as a grade-school student helped him buy a cornet, which he taught himself to play. There was a cheerful impatience in his playing, an optimistic confidence that led him to risk going over the top (Shipton 157). Heebie Jeebies and Hotter Than That, was some of the earliest recordings of Armstrongs scat singing., He was a major piece in the history of jazz music and his career lasted for more than 50 years. Born in 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Armstrong had a difficult childhood. But Armstrong also became an enduring figure in popular music due to his distinctively phrased baritone singing and engaging personality, which were on display in a series of vocal recordings and film roles. One of the greatest cornet players in town, Joe "King" Oliver, began acting as a mentor to the young Armstrong, showing him pointers on the horn and occasionally using him as a sub. Louis Armstrong is considered a hero for many reasons. Throughout the years, jazz musicians have created many new styles, new arrangements, and put this genre of music on the map., He affected the heading of jazz music and spontaneous creation. By the summer of 1970, Armstrong was allowed to perform publicly again and play the trumpet. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Armstrong's four marriages never produced any children, and because he and wife Lucille Wilson had actively tried for years to no avail, many believed him to be sterile, incapable of having children. Glaser did just that; within a few months, Armstrong had a new big band and was recording for Decca Records. Wiki User. Importance of Louis Armstrong His influence, both as an artist and cultural icon, is universal and is still relevant today. WebLouis Armstrong was a key asset to the Harlem Renaissance due to his inspiring music and playing his instruments for African Americans people during this period. Shortly thereafter, Armstrong bragged about the child to his manager, Joe Glaser, in a letter that would later be published in the book Louis Armstrong In His Own Words (1999). Louis Armstrong, nicknamed "Satchmo," "Pops" and, later, "Ambassador Satch," was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. After they married in 1924, Hardin made it clear that she felt Oliver was holding Armstrong back. Armstrong sang his heart out on the number, thinking of his home in Queens as he did so, but "What a Wonderful World" received little promotion in the United States. Why is Louis Armstrong important .State Department and earning the nickname "Ambassador Satch." Louis Armstrong is famous for his stunning jazz performance, unique vocals, and amazing styles with the trumpet/cornet. WebLouis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans Louisinana, to Mayann, and Willie Armstrong. Louis does a really important trip to Africa this were the states or cities that he went with Cameroon, the Belgian Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone Jul 6, 1971. The sadest event Two days after his birthday of turning 70, Louis Study now. ", During the mid-'50s, Armstrong's popularity overseas skyrocketed. His fame rose when he composed several masterworks in the 1940s. Louis Armstrong was called "the single most important figure in the history of jazz" by Billboard magazine, a publication that tracks the recording industry. You feel butterflies in your stomach as you take your seat. In 1964, he scored a surprise hit with his recording of the title song from the Broadway musical Hello, Dolly!, which reached number one in May, followed by a gold-selling album of the same name. Armstrong soon began dating the female pianist in the band, Lillian Hardin. He popularized scat singing and was the first musician to have his solo on a recording (Rodgers 85). He was especially known for his spectacular trumpet playing, unmistakable voice, and exceptionally recognizable, broad smile., In three years they recorded over 60 records, which now are considered the most influential recordings in jazz history. Reel 163 Louis Armstrong, n.d. What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrongs Iconic Ballad Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter, bandleader and singer known for songs like "What a Wonderful World, Hello, Dolly, Star Dust and "La Vie En Rose.. All music is folk music. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901. Armstrong continued to tour extensively, despite a heart attack in June 1959. Biography - Louis Armstrong Home Museum According to Armstrong, that nights biggest laugh came right before his group started playing You Rascal, You. Without warning, he looked straight up at the monarch and hollered, This ones for you, Rex!, Fresh off the wild success of his Hello, Dolly! cover, Armstrong made a trip to communist East Berlin in 1965, where he gave a two-hour concert that earned a standing ovation. Though he was the product's biggest cheerleader, Armstrong neither requested nor received any payment from its manufacturers. Armstrong accepted, and he was soon taking Chicago by storm with both his remarkably fiery playing and the dazzling two-cornet breaks that he shared with Oliver. That same year, his longtime manager, Joe Glaser, passed away. The solos Armstrong performed along with his popular scat singing helped make jazz musicians more popular along with making the fans take notice of Armstrong and jazz itself (Rennert 8). The year is 1954. Armstrong was featured nightly on Ain't Misbehavin', breaking up the crowds of (mostly white) theatergoers nightly. Born, August 4, 1901 he started off in a harder life than most people usually do. In the 1980s and '90s, younger African American jazz musicians like Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis and Nicholas Payton began speaking about Armstrong's importance, both as a musician and a human being. Each of the books on jazz music will mention his name. Death Year: 1971, Death date: July 6, 1971, Death State: New York, Death City: Corona, Queens, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Louis Armstrong Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/louis-armstrong, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: January 29, 2021, Original Published Date: April 3, 2014. What a Wonderful World struck a chord with moviegoers and was re-released that year, becoming an oft-requested radio hit. The book was titled Swing That Music. He sang much as he played, but with a playfulness and a rasp, that would forever be part of American culture (Winfield 167). One of the first soloists on record, Louis was at the forefront of changing jazz from ensemble-oriented folk music into an art form that emphasized inventive solo improvisations. Armstrong was obligated to leave school in the fifth grade to begin working. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and amazingly quick, inventive musical mind still dominate Jazz to this day. His career spanned many decades, from the 1920s to his death in 1971, and many different eras in jazz. See answer (1) Best Answer. When Armstrong saw this as well as white protesters hurling invective at the students he blew his top to the press, telling a reporter that President Dwight D. Eisenhower had "no guts" for letting Faubus run the country, and stating, "The way they are treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell.". Armstrong spent much of that year at home, but managed to continue practicing the trumpet daily. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901. Why Is Louis (Hakim, 58) Although Jazz was very popular itself, a majority of the fans and listeners were younger people. In 1972, a year after his death, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Why Is Charlie Parker Important His distinctive sound and style have had a lasting impact on the genre, and he was a major influence on subsequent generations of jazz musicians. Louis Armstrong was the greatest of all Jazz musicians. The letters, dated as far back as 1968, prove that Armstrong had indeed always believed Sharon to be his daughter, and that he even paid for her education and home, among several other things, throughout his life. He would attend parades, funerals, churches and go to cheap cabarets to be able to hear some of the greats play, Little Louis sung in a vocal quartet in his early teens. He has many nicknames in which some are Satchmo and Pops. While in New York, Armstrong cut dozens of records as a sideman, creating inspirational jazz with other greats such as Sidney Bechet, and backing numerous blues singers including Bessie Smith. Being in many bands before he was not new to this. Armstrong moved to Chicago to join Oliver's band in August 1922 and made his first recordings as a member of the group in the spring of 1923. He was a master of the trumpet and cornet, and his style of playing was unique and instantly recognizable. The Hot Fives' recording of "Muskrat Ramble" gave Armstrong a Top Ten hit in July 1926, the band for the track featuring Kid Ory on trombone, Johnny Dodds on clarinet, Lillian Harden Armstrong on piano, and Johnny St. Cyr on banjo. Why is Louis Armstrong important to blacks? The pistol should have been stored in a locked, Armstrong did not define himself by his background and could have grown up to be just another poor child from a broken home. Louis Armstrong: The First Great Jazz Soloist