Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
One of the greatest in Jazz music history Louis Armstrong, a man of many talents and skills his occupation ranging from singer, film star, soloist, comedian, bandleader, and most importantly a jazz trumpeter with his thrilling performances; being recognized as one of the greatest jazz artist in history. Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most influential jazz artists capturing the people’s attention with his “daring trumpet style and vocals”. Developing his skills from play in small time clubs to making grand appearances on Broadway and creating jazz hit songs such as “Stardust”, “La Via En Rose”, and “What a wonderful world”. “His sense of rhythm and timing took jazz from a staid 2/4 beat to a languid, more sophisticated 4/4 feel, paving the way for swing and soloist to take center stage” (The Trumpeter). Therefore, Louis Armstrong is such an important part of jazz, because of his influence on people and musicians. First, to understand the impact Louis Armstrong had to the genre of jazz music and its artist alike individuals should know a little bit about jazz music in the 1920’s, other than it developing in New Orleans, Louisiana. As one of the most well respected American art forms, jazz has shaped the music industry spawning both the careers of various musical geniuses, and an abundance of elemental Hill 2 new music genres. Jazz was created in the late 19th century and early 20th century as American and European
Jazz has always been a part of the American tradition. Some may say they like Jazz for its rhythmic twist and turns. Others may love the soothing melodies from an improved Trumpet solo. All in all, Jazz has been an American staple and has molded today’s popular music, into what it is today. It’s very different from classical music, which is written out and strict. Jazz is much more. It’s made up of spontaneity and improvisation, which makes up an idea on the spot. There are many wide varieties in Jazz. There is Bebop Jazz, Avante Garde Jazz, Acid Jazz, Free Funk Jazz, Soul Jazz, Swing Jazz, and many, many more! These forms of Jazz can be seen and heard in some of your favorite music of Today. It’s been widely used by the world. There is an important reason as to why this genre contributes to the growing of music. We first take a look into the root of all Jazz. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the country of Africa was the first known country to use rhythm primarily for the element of musical expression, and ensembles composed entirely of percussion instruments created extended polyrhythmic works. These polyrhythms, which means the “layering of multiple rhythms.”, were record in Western music. African music did not use paper, or sheet music. Instead, they relied on Aural rituals, learned by ear and also used” spontaneity, which is later said to be known as improvisation”. In Africa, most of the music that was expressed was for religious
Louis Armstrong greatly influenced the Harlem Renaissance musically. Louis Armstrong was a famous trumpet player and vocalist during the Harlem Renaissance. Louis Armstrong was also known as the “ King of jazz” and he greatly earned that nickname. Louis is also known as the greatest trumpet player of all time. Although Louis was gifted with talent and hard work, he wasn’t always so lucky.
Louis Armstrong, who was widely regarded as the most influential artist of his time, became one of the most well-known artists in the 1920s, being featured in the Harlem Renaissance, earned the title of "The World's Greatest Trumpet Player" and is still remembered for his
Many people knew Louis Armstrong as the “first real genius of jazz”(Shipton 26). He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901. Louis was the illegitimate son of William Armstrong and Mary Est “Mayann” Albert. He was abandoned by his father, a boiler stoker, shortly after his birth and was raised by his paternal grandmother. Then, at the age of five, he was returned to the care of his mother, who at the time worked as a laundress. Together with his mom, they moved to a better area of New Orleans. This is where Armstrong first fell in love with music; he would listen to people playing any chance that he would get(Tirro). He would attend parades, funerals, churches and go to cheap cabarets to be able to hear some of the greats play
To begin, Louis Armstrong was a gifted African American musician and entertainer. Armstrong introduced jazz music to the world as well as created his own pieces of music, setting a high bar for fledged musicians. Many remember him as the “Father of Jazz” (Ginny Holland, 2004). Some of Armstrong’s most memorable pieces are “What a Wonderful World,” “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “Go Down Moses,” and several others. He worked with big bands in Chicago pubs/theaters during the 1920s, and later on began to play in fancy, high class restaurants. Louis Armstrong was actually the first African
Louis Armstrong is a man of many talents and skills known for creating a new environment, especially in his home town of New Orleans. He was born into poverty on August 4, 1901 in the streets of Back o’ Town (Meckna). He’s a professional jazz performer who played with Oliver and Henderson. He started as a soloist for Henderson after marrying Lil Hardin. He has many nicknames in which some are Satchmo and Pops. He also played as a second trumpet for King Oliver. He interprets and contributes to the genre of jazz, creates great form through his performance in the “Hot Chocolates,” and his work represents a whole for equality and the civil rights movement.
For this analysis on Louis Armstrong’s West End Blues, I am going to concentrate on Louis Armstrong and how influential he was in the birth of Swing. He was extremely innovative in the way he played his instrument. Louis Armstrong had a brilliant trumpet sound. His power, range, and his rhythmic approach are all trademarks of his playing in the 1920s and 1930s. West End Blues is still considered one of the most influential and classic pieces in the Jazz Industry. I will explain why by breaking down the song utilizing the five elements of music; form, harmony, texture, melody, and rhythm.
Success is a path way, full of mysterious wonders. Many strive to accomplish, while others wait for success to find them. Louis Armstrong’s life was similar to this. Armstrong strived and strived until he reached to a point in his life where he was comfortable with his fourth wife, Lucille Wilson. Armstrong is ultimately known as the creator of jazz and blues. He was awarded this title by using his talents when he was a young boy growing up in a rough neighborhood. Armstrong’s talent was a result of his childhood and young adult life. Growing up, Armstrong was exposed to music in his surroundings. Armstrong obtained this fantastic talent, therefore causing him to establish it in a well minded surrounding; creating his success and fame.
Out of the streets of New Orleans, a new form of music arose. This new type of music was not known as African or European, but simply American. It was jazz. In 1900 jazz first developed, but it wasn’t until the
Jazz is consider one of the most influential types of music an America History. Some of the greatest artist in the world have contribute to the success jazz have had not only on America History but throughout the world. This paper will explain the history of jazz, where it all came from and the effect it has had on the America Culture.
Louis Armstrong’s Influential Career Louis Armstrong was the most successful and talented jazz musician in history. His influence and expansive career continues to make waves in the jazz world. That is what made him become what he is to many today – a legend. Born on August 4, 1901, in the poorest section of New Orleans, Armstrong grew up with his grandparents due to his parents’ separation. On January 1, 1913 he made a mistake which turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him. At a New Year’s celebration in downtown New Orleans, Louis Armstrong, also known as “Satchmo” and “Satch”, fired a pistol into the air and was placed in the Colored Waifs’ Home. It was there that he was
Jazz would not be the same today without the contributions that Louis Armstrong brought to the jazz community, Armstrong opened up a whole new genre of jazz and paved the way for countless other Jazz artist to follow. Armstrong was a trumpet and cornet player, composer, actor, and singer. Armstrong was renowned throughout most of the U.S. he was even known by other names such as “Pops,” Satchmo,” and, later was known as “Ambassador Satch.” Armstrong’s life was full of controversy and challenges that he had to overcome, one such controversy was overcome racism from other Blacks.
Louis Armstrong was the greatest of all Jazz musicians. Armstrong defined what it was to play Jazz. His amazing technical abilities, the joy and spontaneity, and amazingly quick, inventive musical mind still dominate Jazz to this day. Only Charlie Parker comes close to having as much influence on the history of Jazz as Louis Armstrong did. Like almost all early Jazz musicians, Louis was from New Orleans. He was from a very poor family and was sent to reform school when he was twelve after firing a gun in the air on New Year's Eve. At the school he learned to play cornet. After being released at age fourteen, he worked selling papers, unloading boats, and selling coal from a cart. He didn't own an instrument at this time,
The music called Jazz was born sometime around 1895 in New Orleans. It combined elements of Ragtime, marching band music and Blues. What made Jazz such a different perspective of traditional music was its act of improvising. There was a widespread use of improvisation often by more than one player at a time. Songwriters would write the music down on a piece of paper, and then the Jazz musicians would try their best to play the music. Usually in a Jazz piece, musicians would use the song as a starting point to improvise around. Jazz musicians would play a familiar song to the audience, and by the time they were done with the piece they would stir up a totally different feeling away from the
Thesis: Although Jazz music was first introduced over 80 years ago, the genre still influences artists and the new music they make to this day.