why is louis armstrong important why is louis armstrong important

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. After completing the optimistic anthem, songwriters Bob Thiele and George David Weiss thought that Tony Bennett would eat it right up. 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. As a trumpet virtuoso, his playing, beginning with the 1920s studio recordings he made with his Hot Five and Hot Seven ensembles, charted a future for jazz in highly imaginative, emotionally charged improvisation. He was one of America's most significant artists by the late 1930s, and had created a sensation in Europe with live performances and records. On New Years Eve 1912, he was arrested and sent to the Colored Waifs Home for Boys. Heart and kidney problems forced him to stop performing in 1969. By the end of his teens, Armstrong had grown up fast. He is a husky singer, often with a trumpet in his hand. Aint that stupid? Renowned for his charming and incredibly charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet and/or cornet playing, Armstrong 's influence extends far beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the early 1970s at his death, he was widely regarded as a deep and profound influence on popular music in general. Why Louis Armstrong was important? Stwnews.org Mozart, in his own traditional ways, the right away he did the first three of his 22 performances at that opera. WebLouis Armstrong is arguably the most important musician that the United States has ever produced (Shipton 160). We all do 'do re mi,' but you have got to find the other notes yourself. Career highlights, compiled by the Louis Armstrong House Museum: The way they are treating my people in the South, declared Armstrong, the government can go to hell.. It was on the riverboat that Armstrong honed his music reading skills and eventually had his first encounters with other jazz legends, including Bix Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden. WebLouis Armstrong was the most important and influential musician in jazz history. WebWhy Is Louis Armstrong Important. The movie he appeared in was Pennies from Heaven (1936). In addition, his mother did not have a stable job and with his father long out of the picture, life was hard for young Armstrong. Released from the Waifs Home in 1914, Armstrong set his sights on becoming a professional musician. Biography - Louis Armstrong Home Museum The most important and influential musician in jazz history, and one of the leading singers and entertainers from the 1920s through the '50s. He is remembered as the most influential artist in the early development of jazz. In 1922, King Oliver sent for Armstrong to join his band in Chicago. By that point, Armstrong began dating the pianist in the band, Lillian Hardin. He was one of the most influential figures in jazz music. Famous for his innovative methods of playing the trumpet and cornet, he was also a highly talented singer, blessed with a powerful gravelly voice. Known for his improvisation, Armstrong could induce dramatic effects with his music. He spread jazz throughout the world. He was born into poverty on August 4, 1901 in the streets of Back o Town (Meckna). Larkin states, "It is impossible to overstate Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's importance in jazz." Study now. Armstrong continued to tour extensively, despite a heart attack in June 1959. After recording with Oliver for over a year, Armstrong moved into what would become the most important early-jazz big band, Fletcher Hendersons Orchestra (Shipton 201). Why Is Louis Armstrong Important. During this time, Armstrong adopted a three-year-old boy named Clarence. Its popularity brought many people together, even through the years of racial discrimination and the Great Depression. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901. He also played as a second trumpet for King Oliver. He began touring the country in the 1940s. Even the scepter of Uncle Tom that shadowed the outsized Satchmo during his career, and that Ellington essentially concurred with in an interview with Carter Harman in 1964, has faded. WebLouis Armstrong was the protean genius that made African American classical music mislabeled as jazz the most important music event of the 20th century. Satch Plays Fats, a tribute to Fats Waller, became a Top Ten LP for Columbia in October 1955, and Verve Records contracted Armstrong for a series of recordings with Ella Fitzgerald, beginning with the chart LP Ella and Louis in 1956. The family treated Armstrong like a member, bought him his first trumpet, and encouraged his musical aspirations. By the '50s, Armstrong was widely recognized, even traveling the globe for the US. (Armstrong did not function as a bandleader in the usual sense, but instead typically lent his name to established groups.) He adds, "He was also more than a jazz musician he was an enormously popular entertainer"(pp. Louis Armstrong: The First Great Jazz Soloist The song for which Pops is most widely remembered, What a Wonderful World, was almost never his song at all. The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of people going by. 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. Satchmo didn't let the criticism stop him, however, and he returned an even bigger star when he began a longer tour throughout Europe in 1933. He was an extraordinary musician and he impacted jazz music immensely. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and amazingly quick, inventive musical mind still dominate Jazz to this day. 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. In 1936, he became the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography: Swing That Music. He was often left with his grandmother, and left school in fifth grade to start working. During this period, he switched from cornet to trumpet. Louis Armstrong was called "the single most important figure in the history of jazz" by Billboard magazine, a publication that tracks the recording industry. WebCourtesy of the Louis Armstrong Archive Queens College, CUNY. Louis Armstrong, also known as Ambassador Satch, was unofficially adopted by a family of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania who had a junk hauling business in Louisiana. That didnt stop him from living his life like a regular boy. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. He embarked on his first European tour since 1935 in February 1948, and thereafter toured regularly around the world. In addition Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes., On the 26th day of December in 1788 there was a very great success. 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. After trying it, he said that defecation sounded like Applause. Enamored, the musician began handing out packets to admirers, loved ones, and band members. That's the secret. By the start of 1932, he had switched from the "race"-oriented OKeh label to its pop-oriented big sister Columbia, for which he recorded two Top Five hits, "Chinatown, My Chinatown" and "You Can Depend on Me" before scoring a number one hit with "All of Me" in March 1932; another Top Five hit, "Love, You Funny Thing," hit the charts the same month. 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. Pops had a special place in his heart for both Chinese and Italian food. He was an all-star virtuoso, and came to prominence in the 1920s playing cornet and trumpet with an excitingly new and improvisational style. 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. Armstrong had gained sufficient individual notice to make his recording debut as a leader on November 12, 1925. He played dramatic works of simple structure in Orleans jazz style and with the accompaniment of Dick jazz music. The Armstrongs moved into the home, where they would live for the rest of their lives, in 1943. Louis Armstrong Doctors advised him not to play but Armstrong continued to practice every day in his Corona, Queens home, where he had lived with his fourth wife, Lucille, since 1943. He was known for both his joyous ways with the trumpet and his peculiarly touching and funny vocal style. Why was Louis Armstrong so important? Louis Armstrong Armstrong's daring vocal transformations of these songs completely changed the concept of popular singing in American popular music, and had lasting effects on all singers who came after him, including Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. A young pianist from Pittsburgh, Earl Hines, assimilated Armstrong's ideas into his piano playing. The bottom line of any country in the world is what did we contribute to the world? As if it were not enough that Armstrong would rewire instrumental music for the rest of the century, his singing did the same for vocal music. After a successful engagement in Las Vegas, Armstrong began taking engagements around the world, including in London and Washington, D.C. and New York (he performed for two weeks at New York's Waldorf-Astoria). What a Wonderful World struck a chord with moviegoers and was re-released that year, becoming an oft-requested radio hit. By 1932, Armstrong, who was now known as Satchmo, had begun appearing in movies and made his first tour of England. The 1930s also found Armstrong achieving great popularity on radio, in films, and with his recordings. Armstrong practiced his instrument and eventually he became the jazz great everyone knows today. Armstrong was arrested at eleven years old for disturbing the peace. If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know. When Louis Armstrong was placed in a boys home as a young boy, he was presented with the opportunity to play the cornet. He was a master of the trumpet and a skilled improviser, and his style of playing influenced many other jazz musicians. (Biography.com), Many people knew Louis Armstrong as the first real genius of jazz(Shipton 26). Life & Legacy Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band 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. Armstrong was brought up by his mother, Mary (Albert) Armstrong, and his maternal grandmother. I think to myself, what a wonderful world. Armstrong was the primary ever "Genius" of jazz music. At the start of Armstrongs career, he married Daisy Parker. He performed less frequently in the late '60s and early '70s, and died of a heart ailment in 1971 at the age of 69. Perhaps most importantly, the letters also detail Armstrong's fatherly love for Sharon. However, conditions changed when he was requested to record the title number of a broadway show that went on to become a hit. He spent the next several years in Europe, his American career maintained by a series of archival recordings, including the Top Ten hits "Sweethearts on Parade" (August 1932; recorded December 1930) and "Body and Soul" (October 1932; recorded October 1930). 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. Why Louis Daniel (Louie) Armstrong is perhaps the most important and influential person in the history of jazz music, swing music, and jazz vocal styling. Fletcher Henderson also influenced jazz music. Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. Armstrong was a busy man, he always had more than one thing going on, if he wasnt recording with Hot Five/Seven, he was performing in the Vendome theatre, playing music for silent movies.. Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) - BlackPast.org The boy's mother, Armstrong's cousin, had died in childbirth. He was soon able to stop working manual labor jobs and began concentrating full-time on his cornet, playing parties, dances, funeral marches and at local "honky-tonks"a name for small bars that typically host musical acts. Armstrong continued touring the world and making records with songs like Blueberry Hill (1949), Mack the Knife (1955) and Hello, Dolly! He made his film debut in Ex-Flame, released at the end of 1931. Armstrong returned to New York with his band for an engagement at Connie's Inn in Harlem in May 1929. He was abandoned by his father, a boiler stoker, shortly after his birth and was raised by his paternal grandmother. He was a master of the trumpet and a pioneer of jazz. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. After a quick trip with a group of people to Venice, Mozart and his daddy returned back to his hometown Salzburg. The most important and influential musician in jazz history, and one of the leading singers and entertainers from the 1920s through the '50s. His Top Ten version of "Hobo, You Can't Ride This Train," in the charts in early 1933, was on Victor Records; when he returned to the U.S. in 1935, he signed to the recently formed Decca Records and quickly scored a double-sided Top Ten hit, "I'm in the Mood for Love"/"You Are My Lucky Star.". This led some to alter his long-time nickname, Satchmo, to "Ambassador Satch.". There was a cheerful impatience in his playing, an optimistic confidence that led him to risk going over the top (Shipton 157). Jelly Roll, Doctor Jazz, Original Jelly Roll Blues, and many other famous pieces. In 1924, Armstrong married Hardin, who urged Armstrong to leave Oliver and try to make it on his own. Despite failing to make a new record for two years, Armstrong remained a fan favorite. To earn money, Armstrong sang on street corners, sold newspapers, and delivered coal. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901. Today, these are generally regarded as the most important and influential recordings in jazz history; on these records, Armstrong's virtuoso brilliance helped transform jazz from an ensemble music to a soloist's art. At the mention jazz music, that person will first think of is likely to be a great figure with a clown image, nicknamed Satchmo. Preston gave birth to a daughter, Sharon Preston, in 1955. An all-star virtuoso, he came to prominence in the 1920s, influencing countless musicians with both his daring trumpet style and unique vocals. Duke Ellingtons sense of musical drama was the one that made him stand out from all of the rest., Armstrong became the best jazz soloist on Broadway (Louis Armstrong 1). 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. Louis Armstrong: Genius and Drugs A YouTube poster named pandasthumb describes the piece. It's also worth noting that even though he brought it into popularity, Armstrong in no way invented the technique, which dates back to at least 1906. How Did Louis Armstrong Impact Society 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. Louis continued to spread his style by touring other countries. Louis Armstrong Musician Facts | Mental Floss Because of his long improvised solos, he inspired jazz so that long solos became an important part of jazz pieces and performances. Flappers were commonly known during this time. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. .State Department and earning the nickname "Ambassador Satch." He also took a series of small parts in motion pictures, beginning with Pennies from Heaven in December 1936, and he continued to record for Decca, resulting in the Top Ten hits "Public Melody Number One" (August 1937), "When the Saints Go Marching In" (April 1939), and "You Won't Be Satisfied (Until You Break My Heart)" (April 1946), the last a duet with Ella Fitzgerald. The jazz magazine Down Beat agreed. 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. In April, he reached the charts with his first vocal recording, "Big Butter and Egg Man," a duet with May Alix. WebImportance of Louis Armstrong. While performing with Tate in 1926, Armstrong finally switched from the cornet to the trumpet. 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. "What a Wonderful World" peaked on the U.S. music charts after Armstrong passed away. His influence, both as an artist and Jews Who Adopted Louis Armstrong Why is Louis Armstrong important in the 20's? His career spanned many decades, from the 1920s to his death in 1971, and many different eras in jazz. They danced to the jazz music with a whole new style. There were many jazz musicians. He began following him and eventually Oliver became Armstrongs mentor. The man was Louis Armstrong. With his amazing voice trumpet he created a band and made some records. After they married in 1924, Hardin made it clear that she felt Oliver was holding Armstrong back. He was employed by a Jewish family who encouraged him to sing. He influenced countless other musicians and helped to shape the course of jazz. Armstrong spent his youth singing on the street for spare change, but he didnt receive any formal musical training until age 11. The brilliance of his playing, the warmth of his vocals, and his integrity as a human being simply inspires me. They were always kind to me, Armstrong once reflected, [I] was just a little kid who could use a little word of kindness. Apart from monetary compensation, Armstrong was given a hot meal every evening and regular invitations to Karnofsky Shabbat dinners. Wiki User. By the end of the decade, the popularity of the Hot Fives and Sevens was enough to send Armstrong back to New York, where he appeared in the popular Broadway revue, Hot Chocolates. He soon began touring and never really stopped until his death in 1971. 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). That same year, he became the first African American to get featured billing in a major Hollywood movie with his turn in Pennies from Heaven, starring Bing Crosby. Importance of Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong - Biography, Jazz Musician, Trumpeter, In 1988, music historian Thaddeus Tad Jones located a baptismal record at New Orleanss Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Then, at the age of five, he was returned to the care of his mother, who at the time worked as a laundress. 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. He also learned to sing. It has given me something to live for. Louis Armstrong was the greatest of all Jazz musicians. Armstrongs mentor, King Oliver, had Armstrong move to Chicago to be in his band; in Olivers, Aside from the typical cultural, social, and political factors influencing any musicians style, an early life filled with poverty and hardship also shaped Louis Armstrongs musical development. (She was the second of his four wives.) Why Louis Armstrong However, a heart attack two days after the Waldorf gig sidelined him for two months. 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. In the summer of 1929, Armstrong headed to New York, where he had a role in a Broadway production of Connie's Hot Chocolates, featuring the music of Fats Waller and Andy Razaf. those works included Cotton Tail and Ko-Ko. Some of his most popular songs included "It Don 't Mean a Thing if It Ain 't Got That Swing," "Sophisticated Lady," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Solitude," and "Satin Doll (Duke Ellington Biography). Read Full Biography. WebLouis Armstrong remains an icon of American history and 20 th century popular culture. 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.". Together, Armstrong and Hines formed a potent team and made some of the greatest recordings in jazz history in 1928, including their virtuoso duet, "Weather Bird," and "West End Blues.". In 1993, it gained renewed popularity when it was used in the film Sleepless in Seattle. That same year, he recorded with small New Orleans-influenced groups, including the Hot Five, and began recording larger ensembles. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus sent in the National Guard to prevent the Little Rock Nine nine African American students from entering the public school. He also began singing on these recordings, popularizing wordless "scat singing" with his hugely popular vocal on 1926's "Heebie Jeebies.". In 1947, the waning popularity of the big bands forced Armstrong to begin fronting a small group, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. This essay will have an introduction of the king of jazz music -- Louis Armstrong and his great influence on jazz history. Each of the books on jazz music will mention his name. His music was a happiness to individuals and they said he was a gift sent from heaven. His career rose in New Orleans. 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.