Louis Armstrong was the most influential person in jazz’s history. He contributed greatly to the growth of jazz and was able to play in a variety of ways. His amazing and interesting life came from his straight talent for the music. He deserved every bit of fame he got simply because he was an incredible musician.Louis Armstrong was born in 1900 and raised by a poor New Orleans family. At twelve he was sent to reform school for firing a gun in the air on New Year’s Eve. There he learned to play the cornet, which was his introduction to music. After he was released he worked small jobs and, although he did not own an instrument, he enjoyed listening to the Hot Style jazz of the time. Joe King Oliver was one of his favorites. The man acted as Armstrong’s father and teacher for a large portion of his life, giving him his first cornet and a job to play at some of his gigs. From there he joined semi-successful groups playing trumpet, until 1922 when he was asked to join King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band located in Chicago. This was a dream come true to Armstrong. As soon as he arrived in Chicago Oliver’s band became a huge success. King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band helped bring New Orleans style jazz to Chicago. During this time Armstrong met Lil Hardin, the pianist for the Creole Jazz band. The two were married in 1924. Hardin, being an ambitious woman, convinced Armstrong to leave his mentor’s band and not get stuck playing next to Oliver. As well as his amazing instrumental ability, Armstrong also did a lot of singing, including scat improvising. He had a deep raspy voice like no other. In 1924 Armstrong moved to New York where he played with Fletcher Henderson for a year and recorded with many other jazz and blues musicians. He recorded his first “Hot 5” record that year as well. Armstrong’s recordings with the “Hot 5”and “Hot Seven” groups, are ...
