The Influence Of Louis Armstrong

In the 1920’s, jazz entertainer, Louis Armstrong’s influence ascended across the nation. Armstrong was notably one of the first prominent African-American performers to be accepted across racial lines; this was especially significant in an America that was still very much segregated. Known for his “gravelly” voice and improvisational skills, Armstrong was well sought after for collaborations and performances throughout America. In 1932 Fleischer Studios approached Louis Armstrong about accompanying and appearing in a Betty Boop cartoon short produced by the studio. He agreed to make the cartoon in order to advertise and promote his traveling band and its recordings; however, beyond this motivation, Armstrong was also afforded the ability to comment on American culture and racial tensions. Even though he was considered to refrain from publicly politicizing his race, in “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You,” through his accompaniment, Louis Armstrong craftily commented on racial themes without it being recognized by his audience.

Although Louis Armstrong’s music was accepted across racial lines, this cannot be understood in terms of white acceptance of his African American culture. Caucasian Americans accepted Louis Armstrong’s music because it didn’t provide discordance with their skewed notions of African American culture. They could continue to listen to his music, while understanding the music within a context that they were comfortable with, from “primitive” origins by innately musical blacks guided by their unruly passions. Louis Armstrong was not unaware of the perception that much of his audience had. His success was owing to his charisma and his ability to be an exceptional entertainer in spite of these misconcept...

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...rtoon is one of guile and cunning. Much like singers at the time were known for sliding into notes and pitches, Armstrong slides artfully into themes of racial injustice in America, while maintaining a safe distance from provoking the audience. He merely leaves the interpretation there for those who seek it. For others, the cartoon can be read on the surface, which is probably what most of the audience saw when they viewed the cartoon short. Way too many African Americans of the era viewed Louis Armstrong as a sellout due to the fact that he didn’t politicize his ethic identity within his career; ultimately, Louis Armstrong did what he had to do, to do what he loves – share his music talents. However, this in no way came at the expense of him having his own opinions on American culture. He simply had to demonstrate these conceptions in an artful and smooth manner.