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.

The All Stars

Around 1950, Armstrong cut his band down to six pieces, going back to the Dixieland style that made him famous in the first place. This group was called the All Stars, and included at various times Barney Bigard, Jack Teagarden, Trummy Young, Arvell Shaw, Marty Napoleon, Big Sid Catlett, and Barrett Deems. During this period, he made many recordings and appeared in over thirty films. In 1964, Armstrong recorded his biggest-selling record, Hello, Dolly.

Related Topics:
Dixieland - All Stars - Barney Bigard - Jack Teagarden - Trummy Young - Arvell Shaw - Marty Napoleon - Big Sid Catlett - Barrett Deems - Hello, Dolly

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Armstrong kept up his busy tour schedule until a few years before his death. While in his later years, he would sometimes play some of his numerous gigs by rote, but other times would enliven the most mundane gig with his vigorous playing, often to the astonishment of his band. He also toured Africa, Europe, and Asia under sponsorship of the US State Department with great success and become known as "Ambassador Satch". While failing health restricted his schedule in his last years, within those limitations he continued playing until the day he died.

Related Topics:
Africa - Europe - Asia - US State Department

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Armstrong died of a heart attack in 1971 at age 69, the night after playing a famous show at the Waldorf Astoria's Empire Room. He was interred in the Flushing Cemetery, Flushing, New York.

Related Topics:
Waldorf Astoria - Empire Room - Flushing

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