Louis Armstrong

LOUIS ARMSTRONG

(1900 - 1971)

• born on the 4th of July in the New Orleans slums
• his father left when he was five
• at the age of 12, Louis celebrated New Year's Eve by shooting off some blank cartridges
• as a result of this incident, he spent a year and a half in the 'colored waifs home'
• Peter David, a teacher at the home, gave him his first horn and some lessons (he didn't do much for the 3 years after he left the home
• at the age of 17 he was befriended by King Oliver (then playing for Kid Ory) who took him under his wing
• He married Daisy Parker at the age of 19-she beat him
• In 1917, when the Navy closed down Storyville, Oliver left Kid Ory and Louis was recommended to take his place - he could even play some of Oliver's solos and was determined to replace Oliver as best he could.
• In 1922 Louis rejoined Oliver in Chicago at Oliver's request
• Oliver's pianist, Lil Hardin, encouraged and pushed Louis into studying music seriously.
• In 1924 he married Lil Hardin (2nd marriage)
• The next 6 years were the most productive with the "Hot Five" & "Hot Seven" recordings.
• From 1931 - 1947 he led a commercial style big band and was accused of selling out and some "Uncle Tomism"
• In 1947 he abandoned the big band and returned to a Chicago Style format (used sidemen like Trummy Young)
• appeared in numerous movies which made him popular with a lot of non-jazz fans as well. (Hello Dolly, Pennies From Heaven)
• He became America's musical ambassador and travelled extensively
• He died July 6th, 1971

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daym@aurora.ncat.edu

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updated 06/24/99