Louis Armstrong Research Paper

Ryan Au Duong Angulo ELA Honors 24, April 2012 Life of the King of Jazz “My whole musical success goes back to the time I was arrested…”(Old 28). Louis Armstrong started off as a normal kid who lived in a poor family and environment, but ended up as one of the most influential entertainers in history all because of one mistake he made as a child, which changed his life. Louis Armstrong’s life was filled with events that built his musical skills, fame, and his well-being even though he did not start off very well.

The environment he lived in as a child was not well suited and he had family problems.He was arrested as a child and was sent to the Home for Colored Waifs which made an enormous impact on his life (“Louis Armstrong”). His fame and musical skills began to grow when he joined the Creole Jazz Band in his adulthood. He made recordings of his songs, which some of them became big hits, to expand his fame even more.

Louis Armstrong’s childhood was difficult, but made him what he was later in life. Louis was born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana (“Louis Armstrong”). New Orleans was a poor city (Old 17). His father was Louis Daniel Armstrong and his mother was Mayann Armstrong.Louis also had a brother, William Armstrong, and a sister, Beatrice Armstrong (“Armstrong, Louis”). His father abandoned the family when Louis was just an infant (“Louis Armstrong”). His mother had to turn to prostitution often to make money so she can support the family (“Louis Armstrong Biography”).

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The environment Louis had lived in had hookers, gangs, children playing on the streets, and musicians. He was surrounded by music when he was young (Old 16). He began to work for the Karnofsky family when he was seven years old (“Armstrong, Louis”).He also attended the Fisk School for Boys as a child. At the age of eleven on New Year’s Eve, Louis fired a gun which got him arrested (“Louis Armstrong Biography”). Who would have guessed that his arrest was the start of Louis Armstrong’s famous career? Louis was put in the Home for Colored Waifs where he fell in love with music and learned how to play a cornet from his music teacher, Peter Davis (“Louis Armstrong”). As an adult Louis Armstrong’s life and fame improved dramatically. Armstrong cherished his memories from the Home for Colored Waifs (Old 27).He married Daisy parker from Gretna, Louisiana, but got divorced after a few years (“Louis Armstrong”). He spent the rest of his life taking care of a mentally disabled child named Clarence, whose mother had died during child birth and whom Armstrong had adopted (“Louis Armstrong Biography”). In 1922, Joe Oliver invited Armstrong to the Creole Jazz band where Armstrong married the pianist Lil Hardin (“Armstrong, Louis” The). Oliver’s band was the most popular band in Chicago (“Louis Armstrong”). Joe Oliver became Louis Armstrong’s mentor and gave him his first real cornet (“Louis Armstrong”).Armstrong eventually switched to the trumpet though and featured in extended trumpet solos in their performances (“Louis Armstrong”). After 2 years, Armstrong left the Creole Jazz Band to join Fletcher Henderson’s band in 1924 (“Armstrong, Louis” The). Armstrong’s time with Fletcher Henderson’s band really expanded his music beyond traditional New Orleans style (“Armstrong, Louis”). Louis Armstrong played in Henderson’s band and on many recordings (“Louis Armstrong”). He also became the ambassador for jazz (“Armstrong, Louis”). Eventually, Armstrong started his own band called the “Hot Five” for recording purposes only (“Louis Armstrong”). Heebie Jeebies” was their first recording of scat singing (Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five”). Louis Armstrong recorded his last hit “What a Wonderful World” before he died of a heart attack in July 6, 1971 (“Louis Armstrong”). Among Louis Armstrong’s greatest contributions are his skills with the trumpet and cornet, and his idea for improvisation which changed the world of jazz. He made some great accomplishments in his life like joining Fletcher Henderson’s band, becoming the ambassador for jazz, starting the “Hot Five Band” and making recordings of his songs.The Creole Jazz Band really helped Armstrong’s fame grow because more people were able to listen to how he played on the cornet and trumpet. His greatest accomplishments were when he changed the course of jazz with the idea of improvisation and he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Louis Armstrong was very much appreciated by society in his days. People recognized him as the world’s greatest trumpet and cornet player in the early 1920’s and 1930’s (Armstrong, Louis” The). Louis Armstrong was one of the most famous and influential performers in the history of jazz (Armstrong, Louis” The).He was even awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his genius idea of improvisation (“Armstrong, Louis” The). Louis Armstrong is remembered because of his skills with the trumpet and cornet, and for his great idea of improvisation which changed the world of jazz. His accomplishments revolutionized the world of jazz and how people thought about jazz. He will always be remembered as the king of jazz. Getting arrested was the best mistake Louis Armstrong has ever made in his lifetime.