Louis Armstrong
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Armstrong became well known on the Chicago jazz scene at this time playing solos,
cornet duet passages with Oliver, and leading the ensemble. While a member of
Oliver’s band Armstrong recorded his first solos with pieces such as “Chimes Blues”
and “Tears.” Armstrong’s wife Lil encouraged him to leave Oliver’s band and strike
out on his own. The Armstrongs moved to New York City and Louie began playing in
Fletcher Henderson’s band. After a year in New York Armstrong returned to Chicago
and began playing in large orchestras. In Chicago Armstrong recorded works such as
the Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven between 1925-28. At this time Armstrong
became recognized as the first great jazz soloist. Hits followed such as “Hotter than
That,” “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue,” “Wild Man Blues,” and “Potato Head Blues.”
Armstrong’s talent on the trumpet was such that no one could compete with him.
Armstrong moved to New York City in 1929 to perform in the theater review Hot
Chocolates. He then went on tour across America and Europe as a trumpet soloist
accompanied by big bands. He soon abandoned the blues style and began to play
choices from composers such as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, and Hoagy
Carmichael. Armstrong also used a technique called scat singing in which he sung
lyrics on most of his recordings. Armstrong also appeared in many movies such as
Pennies from Heaven in 1936, New Orleans (1947), and Hello, Dolly! (1969).
cornet duet passages with Oliver, and leading the ensemble. While a member of
Oliver’s band Armstrong recorded his first solos with pieces such as “Chimes Blues”
and “Tears.” Armstrong’s wife Lil encouraged him to leave Oliver’s band and strike
out on his own. The Armstrongs moved to New York City and Louie began playing in
Fletcher Henderson’s band. After a year in New York Armstrong returned to Chicago
and began playing in large orchestras. In Chicago Armstrong recorded works such as
the Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven between 1925-28. At this time Armstrong
became recognized as the first great jazz soloist. Hits followed such as “Hotter than
That,” “Struttin’ with Some Barbecue,” “Wild Man Blues,” and “Potato Head Blues.”
Armstrong’s talent on the trumpet was such that no one could compete with him.
Armstrong moved to New York City in 1929 to perform in the theater review Hot
Chocolates. He then went on tour across America and Europe as a trumpet soloist
accompanied by big bands. He soon abandoned the blues style and began to play
choices from composers such as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, and Hoagy
Carmichael. Armstrong also used a technique called scat singing in which he sung
lyrics on most of his recordings. Armstrong also appeared in many movies such as
Pennies from Heaven in 1936, New Orleans (1947), and Hello, Dolly! (1969).
Louis Armstrong was born into
poverty in New Orleans, LA. He
learned how to play his first
instrument in 1913 when sent to
the Colored Waifs Home after
firing a pistol outside his family
home. At the home Armstrong
learned how to play the cornet in
the home’s band. As he became
a teenager he continued to
develop as a musician and
listened to pioneer jazz artists of
the day. He met New Orleans
cornetist King Oliver and began
playing in his band Kid Ory.
Eventually Armstrong was good
enough to replace King Oliver in
1918. By the early 1920s
Armstrong was playing in dance
bands on Mississippi riverboats.
poverty in New Orleans, LA. He
learned how to play his first
instrument in 1913 when sent to
the Colored Waifs Home after
firing a pistol outside his family
home. At the home Armstrong
learned how to play the cornet in
the home’s band. As he became
a teenager he continued to
develop as a musician and
listened to pioneer jazz artists of
the day. He met New Orleans
cornetist King Oliver and began
playing in his band Kid Ory.
Eventually Armstrong was good
enough to replace King Oliver in
1918. By the early 1920s
Armstrong was playing in dance
bands on Mississippi riverboats.
Born: August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Died: July 6, 1971 in New York, New York
Died: July 6, 1971 in New York, New York
A major turning point in Armstrong’s life came in 1922 when King Oliver, now living
and playing in Chicago, contacted Armstrong to join his band. Armstrong went to
Chicago and began to play second cornet. Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band played jazz in
the New Orleans ensemble style. This band included musicians such as brothers
Johnny and Baby Dodds and pianist Lil Hardin who Armstrong married in 1924.
and playing in Chicago, contacted Armstrong to join his band. Armstrong went to
Chicago and began to play second cornet. Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band played jazz in
the New Orleans ensemble style. This band included musicians such as brothers
Johnny and Baby Dodds and pianist Lil Hardin who Armstrong married in 1924.