Louis Armstrong

Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901{{ref|birthday}} – July 6, 1971) (also known by the nicknames Satchmo and Pops) was an American jazz musician. Probably the most famous jazz musician of the 20th century, Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose musical skills and bright personality transformed jazz from a rough regional dance music into a popular art form. Armstrong first achieved fame as a trumpeter, but was also one of the most influential jazz singers, and towards the end of his career was best known as a vocalist.

Early career

In 1922, Armstrong joined the exodus to Chicago, where he had been invited by Joe "King" Oliver to join his Creole Jazz Band. Oliver's band was the best and most influential hot jazz band in Chicago in the early 1920s, at a time when Chicago was the center of jazz. Armstrong made his first recordings, including taking some solos and breaks, while playing second cornet in Oliver's band in 1923.

Related Topics:
1922 - Chicago - Joe "King" Oliver - 1923

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Armstrong was happy working with Oliver, but his wife, pianist Lil Hardin Armstrong, urged him to seek more prominent billing. He and Oliver parted amicably in 1924 and Armstrong moved to New York City to play with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, the top African American band of the day. Armstrong switched to the trumpet to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. During this time, he also made many recordings on the side arranged by an old friend from New Orleans, pianist Clarence Williams; these included small jazz band sides (some of the best pairing Armstrong with one of Armstrong's few rivals in fiery technique and ideas, Sidney Bechet) and a series of accompaniments for Blues singers.

Related Topics:
Lil Hardin Armstrong - New York City - Fletcher Henderson - Clarence Williams - Sidney Bechet - Blues

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He returned to Chicago in 1925 and began recording under his own name with his famous Hot Five and Hot Seven with such hits as "Potato Head Blues", "Muggles" (a reference to marijuana, for which Armstrong had a lifelong fondness), and "West End Blues", the music of which set the standard and the agenda for jazz for many years to come.

Related Topics:
Hot Five - Hot Seven - Potato Head Blues - Muggles - Marijuana - West End Blues

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Armstrong returned to New York in 1929, then moved to Los Angeles in 1930, then toured Europe. After spending many years on the road, he settled permanently in Queens, New York in 1943. Although subject to the vicissitudes of Tin Pan Alley and the gangster-ridden music business, he continued to develop his playing.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - Europe - Queens, New York - 1943 - Tin Pan Alley - Gangster

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the subsequent thirty years, Armstrong played more than three hundred gigs a year. Bookings for big bands tapered off during the 1940's due to changes in public tastes: ballrooms closed, and there was competition from television and from other types of music becoming more popular than big band music. It became impossible to support and finance a 16-piece touring band.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~