Coupled with his astonishing performing skills and charismatic stage presence, Armstrong took the world by storm and popularized jazz as we know it today. St. Louis Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker tracks down a flyball during fielding practice at the Cardinals spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (1964), the latter knocking the Beatles off the top of the pop charts at the height of Beatlemania. Evidently, the show went well. Louis's Father left him around childbirth, and his mother often used prostitution for money. (Jazz From New Orleans, Jazz music was one of the most popular music genres in the 1920s and 1930s. That same year, his longtime manager, Joe Glaser, passed away. Then, at the age of five, he was returned to the care of his mother, who at the time worked as a laundress. With the decline of swing music in the post-World War II years, Armstrong broke up his big band and put together a small group dubbed His All-Stars, which made its debut in Los Angeles on August 13, 1947. However, conditions changed when he was requested to record the title number of a broadway show that went on to become a hit. The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus sent in the National Guard to prevent the Little Rock Nine nine African American students from entering the public school. Armstrong could make an audience cheer, but Roy Eldridge, made those top and bottom notes feel like a natural part of what the horn should do (Friedwald 21). He had a string of pop hits beginning in 1949 and started making regular overseas tours, where his popularity was so great, he was dubbed Ambassador Satch.. he is important because he was the first black singer. This pop success was repeated internationally four years later with "What a Wonderful World," which hit number one in the U.K. in April 1968. One of the most important figures in 20th century music, Armstrong's innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist are widely recognized today, and will continue to be for decades to come. 1. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. During his time there, he learned how to play the bugle cornet, an instrument that is similar to the trumpet. When Wilson tired of living out of a suitcase during endless strings of one-nighters, she convinced Armstrong to purchase a house at 34-56 107th Street in Corona, Queens, New York. At the start of Armstrongs career, he married Daisy Parker. At one point in Heebie Jeebiesa 1926 song released by Armstrong and his "Hot Five bandthe singer vocalizes a series of nonsensical, horn-like sounds. Why Is Louis Armstrong Important. Being in many bands before he was not new to this. He also began singing on these recordings, popularizing wordless "scat singing" with his hugely popular vocal on 1926's "Heebie Jeebies.". Louis Armstrong recorded many popular songs like La Vie en Rose, and his theme song When its Sleepy Time Down South. 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. You have arrived to one of the most grand occasions of the year, dressed in your fanciest attire with a hundred watt smile gracing your lips. Willies habit of devoting all his attention to his second, Because firing guns to welcome in the New Year was a New Orleans custom, he thought (even at 11 years old) that it would be morally acceptable to fire the gun. But you get sick just like the next cat and when you die you're just as graveyard dead as he is. 34-56 107th Street, Queens, NY 11368 718-478-8274 2023 Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th Street, Queens, NY 11368 718-478-8274, The Louis Armstrong House Museum is a constituent of the. After being released at age fourteen, he worked selling papers, unloading boats, and selling coal from a cart. 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. Released from the Waifs Home in 1914, Armstrong set his sights on becoming a professional musician. Armstrong and Oliver became the talk of the town with their intricate two-cornet breaks and started making records together in 1923. WebDid You Know? He attended Colored Waifs Home in 1913 for eighteen months. One day, they even advanced him the $5 he used to buy his very first horn. In 1914, the home released him, and he immediately began dreaming of a life making music. He was abandoned by his father, a boiler stoker, shortly after his birth and was raised by his paternal grandmother. He adds, "He was also more than a jazz musician he was an enormously popular entertainer"(pp. He influenced countless other musicians and helped to shape the course of jazz. Since his death, Armstrong's stature has only continued to grow. 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. Mob bosses from New York City and Chicago threatened Louis Armstrong in attempts to control his management contract. This newfound popularity introduced Armstrong to a new, younger audience, and he continued making both successful records and concert appearances for the rest of the decade, even cracking the "Iron Curtain" with a tour of Communist countries such as East Berlin and Czechoslovakia in 1965. Dancers loved Hendersons music making Louis Armstrong a celebrity so when he left his old band, this would be a step up. Louis Daniel (Louie) Armstrong is perhaps the most important and influential person in the history of jazz music, swing music, and jazz vocal styling. In 1938, Armstrong finally divorced Lil Hardin and married Alpha Smith, whom he had been dating for more than a decade. 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. Music historians recognize this as the first popular, mass-market scat ever recorded. With his daring rhythmic choice, swinging vocabulary, and incredibly high notes; changing jazz history once again. Armstrong began to sing on the records, creating a new form of singing, scat singing. Study now. Armstrong played the trumpet so powerfully that he often split his lip. He has many nicknames in which some are Satchmo and Pops. Louis did his first performance on stage in 1930 to spread his Jazz style. Louis Armstrong was successful in jazz because he learned on his own with daily practice while influencing others with his music by making smiles appear on their face. This was the first time anyone had ever recorded this technique known as scat singing. Louis Armstrong was the first black man in the U.S. to host a radio show. The book was titled Swing That Music. Finding Yourself, Dropping, Halfway. His stop-time solos on numbers like "Cornet Chop Suey" and "Potato Head Blues" changed jazz history, featuring daring rhythmic choices, swinging phrasing and incredible high notes. Armstrong's home in Corona, Queens was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977; today, the house is home to the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which annually receives thousands of visitors from all over the world. He was born into poverty on August 4, 1901 in the streets of Back o Town (Meckna). While performing with Tate in 1926, Armstrong finally switched from the cornet to the trumpet. It has given me something to live for. Because of Armstrongs brilliance, his records such as Cornet Chop Suey and Potato Head Blues are esteemed because of his risky rhythmic choices and high notes. (Cayton, 462) Armstrong was the king of jazz trumpet players. In recent years, Armstrong's alleged daughter, who now goes by the name Sharon Preston Folta, has publicized various letters between her and her father. 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. 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. 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. We contributed Louis Armstrong. A young pianist from Pittsburgh, Earl Hines, assimilated Armstrong's ideas into his piano playing. He was a master of the trumpet and a pioneer of jazz. WebImportance of Louis Armstrong. His style was unique and his talent was undeniable. Flappers were commonly known during this time. With his infectious smile and raspy voice, Louis Armstrong (who actually pronounced his own name "Lewis") won over fans worldwide. In 1936, Louis Armstrong became the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography, Swing That Music. He was also a frequent presence on radio, and often broke box-office records at the height of what is now known as the "Swing Era. He began following him and eventually Oliver became Armstrongs mentor. Louis began playing at a young age when he was growing up in New Orleans. Sources: Born in 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Armstrong had a difficult childhood. When Louis Armstrong was placed in a boys home as a young boy, he was presented with the opportunity to play the cornet. I think to myself, what a wonderful world. WebA 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 1947, the waning popularity of the big bands forced Armstrong to begin fronting a small group, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. The most important and influential musician in jazz history, and one of the leading singers and entertainers from the 1920s through the '50s. WebWhy Is Louis Armstrong Important. Armstrong continued recording for Decca in the late 1940s and early '50s, creating a string of popular hits, including "Blueberry Hill," "That Lucky Old Sun," "La Vie En Rose," "A Kiss to Build a Dream On" and "I Get Ideas. What was Louis Armstrongs childhood like? This gift, coupled with Louis Armstrongs already present affinity for the musical sounds of the local New Orleans street bands and brass players that lingered around, helped to brew the perfect storm that would create one of the most prolific players of the 20th century. Though he had finally spoken out after years of remaining publicly silent, he received criticism at the time from both Black and white public figures. There was a cheerful impatience in his playing, an optimistic confidence that led him to risk going over the top (Shipton 157). That didnt stop him from living his life like a regular boy. Louis Armstrong was the most important and influential musician in jazz history. WebWhy Is Louis Armstrong Important. He subsequently passed, so the duo contacted Armstrong in August 1967. What a Wonderful World struck a chord with moviegoers and was re-released that year, becoming an oft-requested radio hit. 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. Born, August 4, 1901 he started off in a harder life than most people usually do. Despite failing to make a new record for two years, Armstrong remained a fan favorite. In 16967, Armstrong recorded his most renowned tune, What a Wonderful Word that surprisingly featured no trumpet. (Hakim, 58) Although Jazz was very popular itself, a majority of the fans and listeners were younger people. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! Louis was arrested by Police When he was eleven. 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. The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. Armstrong was arrested at eleven years old for disturbing the peace. Wiki User. Between 1952 and 1955, Armstrong shed 100 pounds. He was a master of the trumpet and a skilled improviser, and his style of playing influenced many other jazz musicians. Back in America in 1935, Armstrong hired Joe Glaser as his manager and began fronting a big band, recording pop songs for Decca, and appearing regularly in movies. As swing and jazz was dominant as the pop music of the early 20th century, his influence is also evident in the transition from swing and jump blues into rock and roll. Despite failing to make a new record for two years, Armstrong remained a fan favorite. He dropped out of school at 11 to join an informal group, but on December 31, 1912, he fired a gun during a New Year's Eve celebration, and was sent to reform school. The bottom line of any country in the world is what did we contribute to the world? Since New Orleans style jazz known to man, it was one of the broadest genres of jazz. Armstrong was featured in the 1969 film of Hello, Dolly!, performing the title song as a duet with Barbra Streisand. 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. The records by Louis Armstrong and His Fiveand later, Hot Sevenare the most influential in jazz. Eldridge is the obvious link between Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1993, it gained renewed popularity when it was used in the film Sleepless in Seattle. WebLouis Armstrong. Armstrong was arrested at eleven years old for disturbing the peace. Then along came a bare-knuckled comedy called Good Morning, Vietnam (1987). Armstrong put his career in Glaser's hands and asked him to make his troubles disappear. His career rose in New Orleans. 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. With her encouragement, he left Oliver and joined Fletcher Henderson's band in New York, staying for a year and then going back to Chicago in November 1925 to join the Dreamland Syncopators, his wife's group. On New Years Eve 1912, he was arrested and sent to the Colored Waifs Home for Boys. He also began appearing in the orchestra of Hot Chocolates, a Broadway revue, and was given a featured spot singing "Ain't Misbehavin'." Pops had a special place in his heart for both Chinese and Italian food. Also in 1936, Louis Armstrong became the first African American to get featured billing in a major Hollywood movie with his turn in. She pushed her husband to cut ties with his mentor and join Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, the top African American dance band in New York City at the time. Armstrong was the primary ever "Genius" of jazz music. This led some to alter his long-time nickname, Satchmo, to "Ambassador Satch.". 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.. 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. He was then sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. He married Lillian Harden, the pianist in the Oliver band, on February 5, 1924. Louis Armstrong is one of the first great soloists in the 1920s musicians. While growing up, Armstrong did assorted jobs for the Karnofskys, a family of Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants. His crucial contribution to American and world culture continues to reverberate into the 21 st century. His music was a happiness to individuals and they said he was a gift sent from heaven. He played dramatic works of simple structure in Orleans jazz style and with the accompaniment of Dick jazz music. His notoriety for being the best jazz player of his time was secured as Armstrong's arrangement of swing and melodic development opened out and changed Henderson's band and in addition jazz overall. Its popularity brought many people together, even through the years of racial discrimination and the Great Depression. 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. There were many jazz musicians. Why was Louis Armstrong important to the Harlem Renaissance? Louis gave jazz music a purpose. Aint that stupid? Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. He made his first recordings with Oliver on April 5, 1923; that day, he earned his first recorded solo on "Chimes Blues.". 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. WebHe had a string of pop hits beginning in 1949 and started making regular overseas tours, where his popularity was so great, he was dubbed Ambassador Satch. In America, Armstrong had been a great Civil Rights pioneer, breaking down The jazz magazine Down Beat agreed. However, a heart attack two days after the Waldorf gig sidelined him for two months. He found that the only way to reap the benefits of success and be protected was if there was a white captain to back you in the old days (Armstrong). 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. 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.". He embarked on his first European tour since 1935 in February 1948, and thereafter toured regularly around the world. A local Jewish family, the Karnofskys, gave young Armstrong a job collecting junk and delivering coal. (Biography.com), Many people knew Louis Armstrong as the first real genius of jazz(Shipton 26). They treat me better all over the world than they do in my hometown, he said. The civil rights movement was growing stronger with each passing year, with more protests, marches and speeches from African Americans wanting equal rights. Beginning in 1919, Armstrong spent his summers playing on riverboats with a band led by Fate Marable. Instead of doing strictly jazz numbers, OKeh began allowing Armstrong to record popular songs of the day, including "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Star Dust" and "Body and Soul.". They also encouraged him to sing and often invited him into their home for meals. Why was Louis Armstrong so important? When Pops (who adored Thiele and Weiss masterwork) passed away on July 6, 1971, What a Wonderful World seemed destined for stateside obscurity.