To grasp how much the man adored this entre, consider that he often signed his personal letters with Red Beans and Ricely Yours.. It has given me something to live for. Mozart had written over 600 pieces of works, many acknowledged his pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. That didnt stop him from living his life like a regular boy. Armstrong was featured in the 1969 film of Hello, Dolly!, performing the title song as a duet with Barbra Streisand. The solos Armstrong performed along with his popular scat singing helped make jazz musicians more popular along with making the fans take notice of Armstrong and jazz itself (Rennert 8). WebLouis Armstrong. His career spanned many decades, from the 1920s to his death in 1971, and many different eras in jazz. WebLouis Armstrong was a key asset to the Harlem Renaissance due to his inspiring music and playing his instruments for African Americans people during this period. As an artist, Armstrong was embraced by two distinctly different audiences: jazz fans who revered him for his early innovations as an instrumentalist but were occasionally embarrassed by his lack of interest in later developments in jazz, especially his willingness to serve as a light entertainer; and pop fans, who delighted in his joyous performances, particularly as a vocalist, but were largely unaware of his significance as a jazz musician. Given that Armstrong was only 11, it was (one of) his stepfathers who was responsible for the whole series of events. He is also the first African American celebrity to appear in a major Hollywood movie. WebLouis Armstrong remains an icon of American history and 20 th century popular culture. .State Department and earning the nickname "Ambassador Satch." WebLouis Armstrongas a musician, as a man, as an icon. 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. 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.. 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. 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. If the gun was not so easily accessible, his firing it and being arrested could have been prevented. Sure enough, he explained, they [published] Heebie Jeebies the same way it was mistakenly recorded. However, most biographers believe that Armstrong made up this anecdote and had planned on scatting all along. 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. "Hotter Than That" was in the Top Ten in May 1928, followed in September by "West End Blues," which later became one of the first recordings named to the Grammy Hall of Fame. Armstrong brought. Louis Armstrong was an American jazz musician who was one of the most influential figures in jazz music. To many young jazz listeners at the time, Armstrong's ever-smiling demeanor seemed like it was from a bygone era, and the trumpeter's refusal to comment on politics for many years only furthered perceptions that he was out of touch. Wiki User. Reel 163 Louis Armstrong, n.d. Here are 10 facts about the life of one of the 20th century's most important jazz musicians. Its popularity brought many people together, even through the years of racial discrimination and the Great Depression. Thereafter until his death in 1971, however, Armstrong never publicly addressed whether he was in fact Sharon's father. The year is 1954. Previously, Armstrong had performed throughout Europe, Asia, and Africathough he famously canceled a planned 1957 Soviet Union tour, citing the recent Little Rock crisis. After they married in 1924, Hardin made it clear that she felt Oliver was holding Armstrong back. His influence, both as an artist and cultural icon, is universal and is still relevant today. Armstrong began to sing on the records, creating a new form of singing, scat singing. Midway through the recording session, he accidentally dropped them and scatted to fill the ensuing silence. 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. He is remembered as the most influential artist in the early development of jazz. This was the first time anyone had ever recorded this technique known as scat singing. Here is one paragraph from the post: From the very first note of West End Blues, a tune composed by Joe King Oliver, one can immediately sense the shift that Between 1952 and 1955, Armstrong shed 100 pounds. While in New York, Armstrong cut dozens of records as a sideman, creating inspirational jazz with other greats such as Sidney Bechet, and backing numerous blues singers including Bessie Smith. In 1947, the waning popularity of the big bands forced Armstrong to begin fronting a small group, Louis Armstrong and His All Stars. Louis Armstrong (Aug 4th, 1901 - Jul 6th, 1971) was an American trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor who became one of the most influential figures in jazz. He was then sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys. https://www.britannica.com/facts/Louis-Armstrong, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1990), jazz: The cornetist breaks away: Louis Armstrong and the invention of swing. He was a groundbreaking musician and a pioneer in the development of jazz music. With his infectious smile and raspy voice, Louis Armstrong (who actually pronounced his own name "Lewis") won over fans worldwide. The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of people going by. 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. (She was the second of his four wives.) 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. Unhappy, Armstrong left Henderson in 1925 to return to Chicago, where he began playing with his wife's band at the Dreamland Caf. What made jazz continuously popular was the way it progressed. A local Jewish family, the Karnofskys, gave young Armstrong a job collecting junk and delivering coal. WebAnswer (1 of 2): Armstrongs first brass instrument and initial training was on the cornet, which is generally easier for younger or beginning players to learn and slightly smaller in size. In 16967, Armstrong recorded his most renowned tune, What a Wonderful Word that surprisingly featured no trumpet. Within a span of three years, Armstrong recorded over sixty records. Ironically, Armstrong later wrote the whole thing off as a big blunder on his part. By that point, Armstrong began dating the pianist in the band, Lillian Hardin. According to Armstrong, that nights biggest laugh came right before his group started playing You Rascal, You. Without warning, he looked straight up at the monarch and hollered, This ones for you, Rex!, Fresh off the wild success of his Hello, Dolly! cover, Armstrong made a trip to communist East Berlin in 1965, where he gave a two-hour concert that earned a standing ovation. However, a heart attack two days after the Waldorf gig sidelined him for two months. Armstrongs unique singing and masterful improvisation transitioned jazz from the traditional style to a newer, more rhythmic style. Armstrong was one of the first very popular, Being raised in a part of New Orleans known as "The Battlefield" because of its faulty economic situation is not ideal. He spread jazz throughout the world. The first important trend in New York Jazz was Hot Jazz that was an incendiary style introduced by Louis Armstrong (Winfield 170). 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. Larkin states, "It is impossible to overstate Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's importance in jazz." He popularized scat singing and was the first musician to have his solo on a recording (Rodgers 85). All music is folk music. Why is Louis Armstrong important to blacks? Also in 1936, Louis Armstrong became the first African American to get featured billing in a major Hollywood movie with his turn in. Copy. He was employed by a Jewish family who encouraged him to sing. Jazz is a genre of music that brought a whole community of people together. Their marriage was not a happy one, however, and they divorced in 1942. In fact, before marrying his fourth wife, he made sure that she could cook a satisfactory plateful. Armstrong was an African American child growing up in the slums of New Orleans, close to abandonment, impoverished, and with too few constant people, resources, or homes. Armstrong was still a popular attraction around the world in 1963, but hadn't made a record in two years. Between 1952 and 1955, Armstrong shed 100 pounds. Louis Armstrong was called "the single most important figure in the history of jazz" by Billboard magazine, a publication that tracks the recording industry. He recorded several songs throughout his career, including he is known for songs like "Star Dust," "La Vie En Rose" and "What a Wonderful World. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and amazingly quick, inventive musical mind still dominate Jazz to this day. He embarked on his first European tour since 1935 in February 1948, and thereafter toured regularly around the world. 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. Nobody did what Louis could do. WebImportance of Louis Armstrong. Without the jazz musicians, jazz music would not have been possible. Louis Armstrong used to give away laxatives as gifts. Louis Armstrong was a pivotal musician in the twentieth century, but it was his contributions and his role he made during the Harlem Renaissance movement that is most substantial. When Pops (who adored Thiele and Weiss masterwork) passed away on July 6, 1971, What a Wonderful World seemed destined for stateside obscurity. Between the two, Armstrong has been the more unsullied figure in historical treatments and biographies. Some even theorize that it was Armstrongs difficult upbringing that made his music so wise, so unique, and so revolutionary. 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. These views changed in 1957, when Armstrong saw the Little Rock Central High School integration crisis on television. Armstrong spent his youth singing on the street for spare change, but he didnt receive any formal musical training until age 11. He has many nicknames in which some are Satchmo and Pops. In 1922, King Oliver sent for Armstrong to join his band in Chicago. When Armstrong returned to Chicago in 1935, he had no band, no engagements and no recording contract. The Armstrongs moved into the home, where they would live for the rest of their lives, in 1943. Armstrong soon began dating the female pianist in the band, Lillian Hardin. Armstrong's new manager, Joe Glaser, organized a big band for him that had its premiere in Indianapolis on July 1, 1935; for the next several years, he toured regularly. Though he was the product's biggest cheerleader, Armstrong neither requested nor received any payment from its manufacturers. Outraged, Armstrong refused to stage another concert within the state's borders. ", During the mid-'50s, Armstrong's popularity overseas skyrocketed. Then, at the age of five, he was returned to the care of his mother, who at the time worked as a laundress. Clarence, who had become mentally disabled from a head injury he had suffered at an early age, was taken care of by Armstrong his entire life. But, as a Bayou State native, Armstrongs favorite dish was always rice and beans. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901. Armstrong's popularity continued to grow in Chicago throughout the decade, as he began playing other venues, including the Sunset Caf and the Savoy Ballroom. 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). Armstrong sang his heart out on the number, thinking of his home in Queens as he did so, but "What a Wonderful World" received little promotion in the United States. We all do 'do re mi,' but you have got to find the other notes yourself. Encyclopdia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them. 232) Armstrong unlike other black jazz men and women, was one of the first to be welcomed in the upper echelons of white society. Despite failing to make a new record for two years, Armstrong remained a fan favorite. The 1930s also found Armstrong achieving great popularity on radio, in films, and with his recordings. How did Louis Armstrong influence others? Eldridge is the obvious link between Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie. In July, Armstrong sailed to England for a tour. He was abandoned by his father, a boiler stoker, shortly after his birth and was raised by his paternal grandmother. See answer (1) Best Answer. 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 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.. Armstrong returned home in May 1971, and though he soon resumed playing again and promised to perform in public once more, he died in his sleep on July 6, 1971, at his home in Queens, New York. Bebop, a new form of jazz, had blossomed in the 1940s. For the first time, Armstrong was really able to demonstrate his unique voice during those recording sessions. Armstrong put his career in Glaser's hands and asked him to make his troubles disappear. Armstrong was brought up by his mother, Mary (Albert) Armstrong, and his maternal grandmother. 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. He didn't own an instrument at this time, If one was to go out into the street, walked up to a random stranger and asked them if they knew who Louis Armstrong was, chances are that they would be able to answer you correctly. He also played as a second trumpet for King Oliver. In the 1980s and '90s, younger African American jazz musicians like Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis and Nicholas Payton began speaking about Armstrong's importance, both as a musician and a human being. The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic, American actress, singer, director, producer. 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. His mother, Mayann, was 15 years old when he was born and his father, Willie, abandoned them soon after. 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. Best Known For: 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.. The first recording of What a Wonderful World was produced by ABC Records, which made no attempt to advertise it domestically. Louis gave jazz music a purpose. There was a cheerful impatience in his playing, an optimistic confidence that led him to risk going over the top (Shipton 157). 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. I play the good kind (Armstrong). Armstrong used to say that hed been born on July 4, 1900. When Armstrong was eleven years old, he got in trouble for shooting a gun on New Years Eve to ring in the new year, 1912. But many of his recorded performances are masterpieces, and none are less than entertaining. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901. 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. Featuring young geniuses such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis, the younger generation of musicians saw themselves as artists, not as entertainers. He was arrested for firing a pistol in At His Majestys command, several of the biggest names in jazz took their talents to Buckingham Palace, and in 1932, Armstrong was requested for a royal performance. That same year, his longtime manager, Joe Glaser, passed away. However, conditions changed when he was requested to record the title number of a broadway show that went on to become a hit. 2012-02-22 18:06:07. He was also a gifted singer, and his The records by Louis Armstrong and His Fiveand later, Hot Sevenare the most influential in jazz. He is remembered as the most influential artist in the early development of jazz. Because of his long improvised solos, he inspired jazz so that long solos became an important part of jazz pieces and performances. Louis Armstrong was important in the 1920's because he put a whole new meaning to jazz. In 1967, Armstrong recorded a new ballad, "What a Wonderful World." Armstrong continued a grueling touring schedule into the late '50s, and it caught up with him in 1959, when he had a heart attack while traveling in Spoleto, Italy. 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. 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. He performed all over the world in the 1950s and '60s, including throughout Europe, Africa and Asia. Given his popularity, his long career, and the extensive label-jumping he did in his later years, as well as the differing jazz and pop sides of his work, his recordings are extensive and diverse, with parts of his catalog owned by numerous companies. It is said that during a session, Armstrong dropped his sheet music and started mimicking the sounds of the horn with his voice. Despite failing to make a new record for two years, Armstrong remained a fan favorite. Armstrong continued to tour extensively, despite a heart attack in June 1959. The musician didn't let the incident stop him, however, and after taking a few weeks off to recover, he was back on the road, performing 300 nights a year into the 1960s. His fame rose when he composed several masterworks in the 1940s. Not a single jazz musician who had previously criticized him took his side but today, this is seen as one of the bravest, most definitive moments of Armstrong's life. It started in New Orleans and over the years, stretched out throughout the whole United States. Armstrong's words made front-page news around the world. 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. In America, Armstrong had been a great Civil Rights pioneer, breaking down numerous barriers as a young man. 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). WebWhy Is Louis Armstrong Important. Armstrong played the trumpet so powerfully that he often split his lip. While not officially government-sponsored, there are some who believe the concert was arranged by the CIA, which would make this just one of the many taxpayer-funded appearances hed make abroad during the Cold War in an effort to strengthen diplomatic relations overseas. In December of that year, he was called into the studio to record the title number for a Broadway show that hadn't opened yet: Hello, Dolly! Armstrong was obligated to leave school in the fifth grade to begin working. Armstrong fronted the Luis Russell Orchestra for a tour of the South in February 1930, and in May went to Los Angeles, where he led a band at Sebastian's Cotton Club for the next ten months. At the school he learned to play cornet. WebLouis Armstrong is arguably the most important musician that the United States has ever produced (Shipton 160). The jazz magazine Down Beat agreed. He was by far the most enduringly popular man of all the classical composers, and his influence on following Western art music was very good and intense., Intro His career rose in New Orleans. Louis continued to spread his style by touring other countries. Pillars of Life 3 y Related Why was jazz so important? He was a master of the trumpet and a skilled improviser, and his style of playing influenced many other jazz musicians. He subsequently passed, so the duo contacted Armstrong in August 1967. Instead he used his talent as a ticket to improve his lot and create a meaningful life. During this time, Armstrong taught the band how to swing. Louis Armstrong was the most important and influential musician in jazz history. 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. 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. By 1932, Armstrong, who was now known as Satchmo, had begun appearing in movies and made his first tour of England. It won him a Grammy for best vocal performance. The man was Louis Armstrong. The story behind the jazz legends final hit and, quite simply, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Louis was born in New Orleans where he grew up and learned to play the trumpet. There, he received musical instruction on the cornet and fell in love with music. His charismatic stage presence impressed not only the jazz world but all of popular music. 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. The most important and influential musician in jazz history, and one of the leading singers and entertainers from the 1920s through the '50s. In the 1950s, he was sometimes criticized for his onstage persona and called an Uncle Tom but he silenced critics by speaking out against the governments handling of the Little Rock Nine high school integration crisis in 1957. 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 West End Blues by Louis Armstrong is one of the most important songs in jazz. He was also a talented singer, and his recordings of songs like What a Armstrong was arrested at eleven years old for disturbing the peace. He sang much as he played, but with a playfulness and a rasp, that would forever be part of American culture (Winfield 167). he put his soul and dedicated his life to his music.