Louis Armstrong Jazz genius. Grammy in 1965 as best vocalist. Date of Birth: 04.08.1901 Country: USA

1. Jazz Genius: The Biography of Louis Armstrong
2. The Unique Voice
3. Early Life and Musical Beginnings
4. Rise to Prominence

Jazz Genius: The Biography of Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, born on August 4, 1901 (although the exact date is uncertain), in New Orleans, was a jazz virtuoso and one of the greats in the world of music. His influence on contemporary music was so immense that practically all musicians recording between 1927 and 1940 sounded like followers of his style.

The Unique Voice

Louis Armstrong's unique voice was imitated by countless performers for many years. He popularized scat singing, in which meaningless sounds were used more than words. Additionally, his musical phrasing on the trumpet influenced almost every singer who emerged after 1930, such as Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, and Frank Sinatra. Furthermore, Armstrong's wonderful sense of humor and radiant stage presence became the main factors in popularizing jazz. Young performers were inspired simply by seeing him on stage, and millions of audience members were charmed by jazz through the magic of Armstrong's music. In his later years, Armstrong's world tours earned him the nickname "American Ambassador of Peace."

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Louis Armstrong grew up in a poor neighborhood in New Orleans, occasionally performing on the streets as a singer in a vocal quartet to earn a few pennies. On New Year's Eve 1912, Louis fired a gun into the air to celebrate the holiday, resulting in his arrest and placement in a home for troubled teenagers. This period became a turning point for him as a musician since it was in the home that he learned to play the cornet. After being released two years later, Louis began playing in jazz groups in New Orleans.

When King Oliver, who had taken Armstrong under his wing, left New Orleans, he recommended Louis to Kid Ory and his popular group. After four years, King Oliver invited his protégé to play as the second cornetist in his Creole Jazz Band in Chicago. From 1922 to 1924, King Oliver played in the finest classic jazz orchestras, and it soon became evident that Louis was starting to overshadow the maestro with his playing. In 1923, the group recorded forty-one compositions for four labels and met pianist Lil Hardin, who became the second of Armstrong's four wives. Lil convinced Louis to leave the group and join Fletcher Henderson's orchestra in New York, which was perhaps the most popular orchestra at that time.

Rise to Prominence

At that time, New York musicians lagged behind their Chicago counterparts in technique. Perhaps that is why Armstrong's playing allowed local musicians to feel a new direction. Louis began recording as an accompanist for blues singers such as Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, as well as with other musicians and groups like Sidney Bechet and Clarence Williams' Blue Five. In 1925, after leaving Henderson's orchestra, Louis moved back to Chicago and began his famous series of recordings with the "Hot Five" and "Hot Seven." From 1925 to 1927, Armstrong recorded one masterpiece after another, which elevated and glorified New Orleans jazz. His composition "Cornet Chop Suey," recorded in 1927 when he switched from cornet to trumpet, astonished music lovers, while "Heebie Jeebies" became a hit and popularized scat singing.

In 1928, Armstrong played in the studio group The Savoy Ballroom Five. "West End Blues," with its enchanting trumpet introduction, was recognized by many, including Armstrong himself, as the most successful recording, along with "Weather Bird," performed as a duet with Earl Hines. Armstrong participated in various Chicago night programs with large groups led by Erskine Tate and Carroll Dickerson, honing his showmanship skills. Starting in 1929, he began recording as a leader with several jazz ensembles, creating classics such as "I Can't Give You Anything But Love."

Throughout the following decade, Louis Armstrong's name became a kind of calling card for jazz. In 1932 and 1934, he embarked on two tours of Europe, played memorable cameo roles in movies, and performed with big swing bands. The most memorable collaboration in his musical career was with Earl Hines in 1928. Armstrong's magical playing can be felt in all their recordings, and his voice reached its peak of emotional expressiveness. In 1947, Armstrong left the big band and formed "The All-Stars" sextet, which included trombonist Jack Teagarden, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and Earl Hines. With them, Armstrong began continuous tours that lasted until his death. In 1950, Hines, Teagarden, and Bigard left "The All-Stars," and they were replaced by Trummy Young and Edmond Hall, but the group's sound remained the same. Armstrong occasionally recorded with large orchestras and with Ella Fitzgerald. He recorded his major hits, such as "Blueberry Hill," "Mack the Knife," and "Hello Dolly," as a recognized classic.

On the day of his death, July 6, 1971, there was not a single jazz musician in the world who could compare in popularity to the great Satchmo, as Armstrong was affectionately known.