Louis Armstrong Essay

850 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: How did the jazz age influence american culture

In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance was a period where African American cultures, social club, and art evolved after World War I to describe the society of blacks (PBS). Many African Americans such as authors, artists, musicians, and poets fled the South to escape persecution and discrimination from the whites (PBS). They expressed racial pride, African American society in the 1920s, and economic hardships in many of their works in poetry, music, literature, and art (Digital History). One of the famous musicians during the Harlem Renaissance was Louis Armstrong because he is known to create a style of music known as jazz.
Louis Armstrong (1900-1971) was born in New Orleans under his maternal grandmother due to family difficulties (Louis Armstrong Biography). A person who decided to leave school in the fifth grade, he joined a various number of jobs such as collecting junk and delivering coal for a Jewish family (Louis Armstrong Biography). He was affiliated with crimes by shooting a gun on a New Year’s Eve parade and was placed in a home for juveniles (Louis Armstrong Biography). While he was in a home for juveniles, he decided to play the cornet and he fell in love with music where he played in local bands during his teenage years (Louis Armstrong). He joined bands in Chicago and New York, where he joined in bands with composers such as Joe Oliver and Fletcher Henderson (Louis Armstrong). Then, he recorded groups of music known as the “Hot Five” and the “Hot Seven” (Louis Armstrong Biography). He was known as “Satchmo” where he starred in movies, broadcasted in radio shows, and produced commercial music (Louis Armstrong). He died in 1971 and he was known as a mass entertainer who revolutionize jazz for the mass public (Louis ...

... middle of paper ...

...ons because the instruments was showing progression that the piece was concluding. Furthermore, this variation had a fat tempo and a loud pitch at the conclusion of the piece because although the trumpet dominated the variation, the other instruments came together in unison to conclude the piece.
La Cucaracha was a piece that Louis Armstrong created during the Harlem Renaissance. He incorporates elements from the significance of the term La Cucaracha to the background of jazz society in the Harlem Renaissance. Other pieces he produced that was similar to La Cucaracha was Hotter Than That and it shows in this piece how the New Orleans style developed in Chicago, but he alters the musical composition in his interpretation from scat singing. Armstrong use of singing not only inspired other people to make music, but his works inspired today’s society to innovate itself.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis: The Harlem Renaissance

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Harlem Renaissance is the name given to a period at the end of World War I through the mid-30s, in which a group of talented African-Americans managed to produce outstanding work through a cultural, social, and artistic explosion. Also known as the New Negro Movement. It is one of the greatest periods of cultural and intellectual development of a population historically repressed. The Harlem Renaissance was the rebirth of art in the African-American community mostly centering in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s. Jazz, literature, and painting emphasized significantly between the artistic creations of the main components of this impressive movement. It was in this time of great

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Bix Beiderbeck And Louis Armstroner

    1816 Words  | 4 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Impact Of Louis Armstrong's Influence On American History

    1133 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Communication: Louis Armstrong As A Form Of Communication

    1605 Words  | 4 Pages

    His boisterous personality influenced many aspects of American culture, and his contributions and influence on Jazz are immeasurable. Nobody has done more for Jazz than Louis Armstrong, without question he is a Jazz legend (Friedwald). Armstrong excelled at everything he performed. A renaissance man of our time, his appreciation for music and life showed in his performances, and his talent showed his techniques and improvisation. Louis’s technique and improvisation on the trumpet set the standard for Jazz musicians (Friedwald). Fellow trumpeter Dizzie Gillespie credited Armstrong with this honor stating, “If it weren’t for him there wouldn’t be any of us.” This reputation would lend him to be referred to as Jazz royalty. With his trumpet and his scat singing he revolutionized Jazz. Though vocally limited, his understanding of how to use his voice beyond his natural abilities led to his perfection of scat (Edwards). Scatting allowed him to perfect his improvisational skill. Scatting, or scat singing would come to be known as the “House that Satch Built” and Armstrong the “Original Man of Scat.”

    Read More

  • The Harlem Renaissance

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Harlem Renaissance, originally known as “the New Negro Movement”, was a cultural, social, and artistic movement during the 1920’s that took place in Harlem. This movement occurred after the World War I and drew in many African Americans who wanted to escape from the South to the North where they could freely express their artistic abilities. This movement was known as The Great Migration. During the 1920’s, many black writers, singers, musicians, artists, and poets gained success including Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Marcus Garvey, and W.E.B. Du Bois. These creative black artists made an influence to society in the 1920’s and an impact on the Harlem Renaissance.

    Read More

  • Jazz Music: Louis Armstrong And The Great Depression

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    It was said that he thought he was born on July 4, 1900 (Armstrong 7). While Louis was still an infant his father, William Armstrong, abandoned his family. He spent the first years of his life living with his Grandmother since at the time his parents were going through a separation. At age 5, he moved into a home with his mother and sister, Beatrice, whom he called Mama Lucy. He grew up in a rough section of New Orleans. They were incredibly poor and did not have enough money. He would work different jobs just to take care of his family. Louis would work anywhere that he would be able to find work. He would sing on the street, which would result in his nickname, Satchelmouth that would be shorten to Satchmo. His nickname was a result of him having a wide

    Read More

  • Lewis Armstrong's Influence On Jazz Music

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Harlem Renaissance Essay

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    Thousands of city dwellers flocked night after night to see the same performers”. This music created by the African-Americans in Harlem transformed the negative outlook of many into a positive one, or one of some understanding toward the Black populus. This introduction of Jazz and Blues into the society of the era gave birth to several influential and pivotal artists such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. This popularized the Jazz and Blues music genres and brought major notoriety to African-Americans, bringing much needed change in the perceptions of Black citizens. Poetry was another prominent form of expression during the Harlem Renaissance era.

    Read More

  • West End Blues: Louis Armstrong's Impact On Jazz Music

    455 Words  | 1 Pages

    When it comes to jazz music, there is one name that everyone knows, whether they’ve never listened to jazz before or if they’ve listened to it their whole lives. That name is Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was one of the pioneers of jazz music, from his humble beginnings in one of New Orleans roughest districts, “the Battlefield”, to playing concerts for sold out crowds in Chicago and New York City, Louis left a massive impact on the way America listened to music for a long time. One of his premier tracks, “West End Blues”, left an impact on jazz music, which other musicians would try to emulate for years.

    Read More

  • The Harlem Renaissance

    533 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Harlem Renaissance was a time of racism, injustice, and importance. Somewhere in between the 1920s and 1930s an African American movement occurred in Harlem, New York City. The Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression. It was the result of Blacks migrating in the North, mostly Chicago and New York. There were many significant figures, both male and female, that had taken part in the Harlem Renaissance. Ida B. Wells and Langston Hughes exemplify the like and work of this movement.

    Read More

  • Jazz Influence On Jazz

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    He was known as the Father of Jazz. He was most notable as an entertainer, however, he was a soloist that provided improvisations in regards to tunes. Louis Armstrong's “What a Wonderful World” is the first song that comes to many minds when discussing jazz. He is also well known for his scat singing, However, he also had a political side. In his song “What Did I Do To Be So Black and Blue,” Armstrong talks about the color of his skin as a bad thing and how blacks were treated. In World War II he fulfilled by performing for the soldiers during a recording

    Read More

  • Music of the Harlem Renaissance

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Harlem Renaissance enriched America through its music. Countless African Americans became key figures in music during this time. The Harlem Renaissance was a time of African American expression in art, music, and literature. The Harlem Renaissance was instigated by the migration of African Americans to northern cities that was taking place in America at that time. (Hutchinson) The music of the Harlem Renaissance brought about a sense of equality among black and white Americans and was a sense of inspiration, which was made possible through African American migration and led to civil rights movement of the 1960s.

    Read More

  • Impact of Music of the Harlem Renaissance Upon the Artists of Today

    1614 Words  | 4 Pages

    Musicians during the Harlem Renaissance created a style and movement that simply took Americans by storm. Musicians such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong have inspired others all over the country. The Renaissance itself was not only an observation of life for African Americans, but it also showed Americans that they have a place in society. All of the musicians, writers, and artists shared a common purpose. This purpose was to create art that reflected the Afro American community. Through this era, African Americans provided themselves with their cultural roots and a promise for a better future. Music in this era was the beginning. It was the beginning of new life for musicians and African Americans.

    Read More

  • Duke Ellington In The 1920's Essay

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    The 1920’s were about change and expressing yourself. It was also a time where African-Americans were able to finally express themselves and have people enjoy it. Duke Ellington is a great example of this because he was able to transcend race, age, and promote a new 19th-century mindset, bringing us into the 1920’s. As he transcended race, he took part in the Harlem Renaissance allowing others to enjoy African-American music. “Ellington arrived in New York just when jazz emerged as the dominant musical style of the Harlem Renaissance” (Butler). Ellington’s power to make music that was popular and catchy helped him and his band become famous. The Harlem Renaissance and

    Read More

  • Jazz Music

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first true virtuoso soloist of jazz was Louis Armstrong. He was a dazzling improviser, technically, emotionally, and intellectually. He changed the format of jazz by bringing the soloist to the forefront, and in his recording groups, the "Hot Five" and the "Hot Seven" (Porter 2), demonstrated that jazz improvisation could go far beyond simply ornamenting the melody. He became the first well known male jazz singer, and also set standards for all later jazz singers, by creating scat singing: singing meaningless syllables instead of words, not unlike instrumental improvisation.

    Read More

More about Louis Armstrong Essay

Open Document