How Did Louis Armstrong Contribute To Jazz

At the mention jazz music, that people will first think of is likely to be a great figure with a clown image, nicknamed Uncle Satchmo. The man was Lewis Armstrong. He is a husky singer, often with a trumpet in his hand. He played dramatic works of simple structure in Orleans jazz style and with the accompaniment of Dick jazz music. Each of the books on jazz music will mention his name. Lewis Armstrong was to jazz music what Bach is to classical music, Presley is to rock music (Berrett 230). This essay will have an introduction of the king of jazz music—— Lewis Armstrong and his great influence on jazz history.

Jazz music had first emerged in the black cultures of New Orleans from the mixed influences of ragtime, blues, and music that was played at funerals in New Orleans (“Jazz”). Louis Armstrong, nicknamed “Satchmo”, “Pops”, and later “Ambassador Satch”, was considered to be one of the most influential artists in jazz music and he was a trumpeter, bandleader, singer, soloist, film star, and comedian (“Louis Armstrong”).

“Louis Armstrong is jazz. He represents what the music is all about” (Wynton Marsalis). Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. Armstrong was born into a poor Southern black family and suffered from many of the difficulties this community endured at the turn of the twentieth century. At a very young age, Armstrong’s biological father left his family and his mother was forced to work all the time, therefore, leaving Armstrong and siblings on their own. According to the Louis Armstrong House Museum, a Russian family (the Karnofskys) unofficially adopted Armstrong and gave him a job in their family store, which helped him save enough money to buy his first instrument. The Karnofskys, provided him with meals, gave him a job at their junk shop and even loaned him money to buy his first instrument. He began by playing on the street corners, which eventually caused

In the 1920’s a man by the name of Louis Armstrong changed the world of Jazz and began to give this genre a more powerful meaning. Looking into one of the more influential people of the Jazz world, he was born in New Orleans where he learned how to play the instruments and evolved as a musician (NPR part 2). Louis Armstrong had a rough life as a child, he used music as an escape in a way and did so by following his mentor as he grew up, King Oliver. He grew into the Jazz world quickly with his different style and transformed into a new era that would later be known as the “Swing Era”. Louis created a new type of music which had more rhythm to it than other songs at the time. He did so by mixing his new style with that of Fletcher Henderson (NPR part 2).

Louis Armstrong was born in one of the poorest sections in New Orleans, August 4, 1901. Louis a hard-working kid who helped his mother and sister by working every type of job there was, including going out on street corners at night to singing for coins. Slowly making money, Louis bought his first horn, a cornet. At age eleven Armstrong was sent to juvenile Jones Home for the colored waifs for firing a pistol on New Year’s Eve. While in jail Armstrong received his first formal music lesson from one of the friends he met their, he later played in Home’s brass band that was located in the same facility. Armstrong gained experience from the band. After a year and six month he was released. After being released he considered himself as a musician.

Louis Armstrong was a very successful jazz artist, trumpet, and cornet player. Although he didn't get a lot of recognition until later and after his musical career he still led the way for many other artists. He influenced many artists including Ella Fitzgerald. Throughout his career Louis Armstrong called himself an entertainer regardless of what others thought of his music and continued to do what he loved most up until his death.

In the 1920’s a man by the name of Louis Armstrong changed the world of Jazz and began to give this genre a more powerful meaning. Looking into one of the more influential people of the Jazz world, he was born in New Orleans where he learned how to play the instruments and evolved as a musician. Louis Armstrong had a rough life as a child, he used music as an escape in a way and did so by following his mentor as he grew up, King Oliver. He grew into the Jazz world quickly with his different style and transformed into a new era that would later be known as the “Swing Era”. Louis created a new type of music which had more rhythm to it than other songs at the time. He did so by mixing his new style with that of Fletcher Henderson.

Throughout history, and even today, music has shaped America’s culture, society, and even politics. One of the most outstanding and enduring musical movement has been from African American artists, ranging from bebop to jazz to hip-hop to rap. During the 1920’s , jazz artists stepped into the limelight and began their impact on American and even world history. Louis Armstrong was one of the most influential leaders during the Harlem Renaissance and his jazz legacy and impact of American history is everlasting. A master of his craft, Armstrong and his music heavily influenced America’s white and black populations from the 1920’s and up until his death.

What is Jazz? According to the dictionary, jazz is defined as, "A kind of syncopated, highly rhythmic music originated by Southern blacks in the late 19th century" ("Jazz" 232). But, everyone should at least agree that jazz is the mother of all music, and is referred to as the only art form originating in the United States ("History 101" 2). America was home to immigrants from all over Europe and beyond who wished to build a new life, or just needed to escape from the old. These people, often thought of as second-class, brought their culture with them to America, expressed it musically, and changed the music world as we know it today.

Louis has being the most prominent trumpet player in history. His trumpet playing techniques significantly impacted all other instrument players who came after him and emulated his techniques in all other instruments. His style and innovative perspective of jazz changed all the forthcoming jazz singers who had a lot to learn from him, including Bix who learnt a lot from Louis Armstrong. Two of his most famous hit sounds were “What a Wonderful World” as well as “Hello Dolly” among others. The emotions attached to his music is what attracted most people and led to the spread of his music. The charm present in the music was also adored and enjoyed by