Louis Armstrong was an American jazz musician who had a major influence on the development of jazz music. His contributions began in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he started playing cornet and trumpet at a very young age. He joined his first band in 1922, at the age of 19.
Louis Armstrong’s childhood
Armstrong’s father was a factory worker who abandoned his family when Louis was just seven years old. Despite this, he managed to live an otherwise happy childhood. He enjoyed playing bugle in the New Orleans orchestra, the Cornet Kings. He also began a relationship with a much older trumpeter who introduced him to the subtleties of the instrument.
His talent was recognized early on, and by the age of 15 he was playing in the band with Eddie Lang. He also met his idol at the time, King Oliver. Shortly after Louis turned 18, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band came to New Orleans in search of new talent. The band not only accepted him as a member, but allowed him to write arrangements.
Louis Armstrong’s early career
Several months after joining the band, they recorded a record that catapulted Louis to stardom. The song was “Chimes Blues”, and it became a jazz standard. However, his rise to fame was not without controversy. He joined Fletcher Henderson in New York in 1924, causing a stir among critics who considered him a “copy” of the more talented cornetist Bix Beiderbecke.
Armstrong the entertainer
At first, Louis had no intention of making music his career. In his youth, he wanted to become a boxer and even worked as a flag keeper at the age of 12. His parents’ severe opposition to this lifestyle eventually pushed him to leave New Orleans and pursue a career as an entertainer with New York-based bands. He also performed in Europe with Joe Oliver during this period.
Armstrong and New York
It was in New York that Louis Armstrong met his lifelong companion, Lil Hardin. They were married for almost thirty years before finally divorcing. During the same period, he also recorded an albumThe Hot Five, with pianist Earl Hines.
Explosion of Louis Armstrong’s popularity
Armstrong became increasingly popular in the 30s and 40s thanks to his comic performances in films. He then became an international celebrity after joining “Satchmo: The Great Louis Armstrong”, a new band that included many promising musicians such as guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. For most of his career, he was one of the highest-paid black musicians in America and Europe, largely due to his stage presence and electrifying voice. His fame never waned, even after his death in 1971.
Louis Armstrong’s last years
As well as being a musician, he also lived a modest life outside music. He married only once and had no children, although he was godfather to many children in New Orleans. His home was modest in size, and even after he became famous, he worked tirelessly to support his family in New Orleans, which was hit hard by the Great Depression.
In 1952, Louis became the first black man to appear on the cover of Time magazine. In 1962, President John F Kennedy awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 1959, Louis recorded one of his best-known songs “What a Wonderful World”, which would become a popular hit for George Michael 30 years later.>written about {What a Wonderful World}
The death of Louis Armstrong
Armstrong died of heart failure on July 6, 1971 in his native New Orleans. He was only 69 years old. He is buried in Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York. His death marked the end of an era for jazz music and musicians, many of whom had considered him a true celebrity after achieving worldwide fame through his career. He left behind an immense musical legacy that includes over 600 recordings with more than 100 million albums sold worldwide.
Louis Armstrong’s legacy
The song that propelled Louis to stardom. The song was called “Chimes Blues”, and it became a jazz standard. However, his rise to fame was not without controversy. He joined Fletcher Henderson in New York in 1924, causing a stir among critics who considered him a “copy” of the more talented cornetist Bix Beiderbecke.
His name is widely associated with jazz music, although this is not entirely accurate, since he also played trumpet and was even better known as an artist. Louis Armstrong was a true musical legend, whose influence continues to be felt three decades after his death.
“What a Wonderful World”, one of Louis’ most popular songs, was written during the last years of his life. George Michael, an English musician and producer, released a cover version in 1987 that became a number-one hit in many countries around the world. It’s a timeless song that remains relevant even today.
“What a Wonderful World” is not only a timeless song but also a perfect example of the American dream. Louis Armstrong’s rise from a poor kid from New Orleans to a world-famous artist is one of the most remarkable success stories.
Cultural contributions
One of the best-known examples of cultural fusion. Louis combined elements of African-American music with Caribbean influences to create something entirely new: New Orleans jazz music. He helped spread this style throughout America and even the world, becoming a true ambassador of jazz.