Louis Armstrong By: Husam Abdulnabi

His Beginnings Armstrong was born on the 4 th of August, 1901, into a poverty stricken family in New Orleans. After witnessing his family slowly breaking apart, Louis was then an orphan and went to the Fisk School of Boys, an orphanage, where we was first introduced to, and grew found of Creole Music. Armstrong was born on the 4 th of August, 1901, into a poverty stricken family in New Orleans. After witnessing his family slowly breaking apart, Louis was then an orphan and went to the Fisk School of Boys, an orphanage, where we was first introduced to, and grew found of Creole Music.

How He Came to Be Some say that he would have never became a professional performer if it wouldn’t have been for the New Years of 1913, where he shot his burrowed pistol into the air and got arrested. There he fell under Peter Davis, who taught him singing, percussion, and now most remembered for, the trumpet. During his early experience with music and an actual career, he blended what was originally called “Creole jazz” with New Orleans street music to actually create,what was then, jazz. Some say that he would have never became a professional performer if it wouldn’t have been for the New Years of 1913, where he shot his burrowed pistol into the air and got arrested. There he fell under Peter Davis, who taught him singing, percussion, and now most remembered for, the trumpet. During his early experience with music and an actual career, he blended what was originally called “Creole jazz” with New Orleans street music to actually create,what was then, jazz.

Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Fellow musicians called him “Stachelmouth” because of his huge wide grin; and later shortened to Satchmo, a nickname that stuck with him his whole career. how Steve Leggett describes Armstrong as "perhaps the most important American musician of the 1900's." Possibly the greatest jazz musician of all time, Armstrong was recognized for his innovations to music as well. He literally changed jazz, and was a major influence in actually introducing black music to America. With his sense of rhythm and innovation, he single handedly changed jazz music from a 2/4 beat to a more complex 4/4 beat, and music focus from limited improvs to actual solo performances. Fellow musicians called him “Stachelmouth” because of his huge wide grin; and later shortened to Satchmo, a nickname that stuck with him his whole career. how Steve Leggett describes Armstrong as "perhaps the most important American musician of the 1900's." Possibly the greatest jazz musician of all time, Armstrong was recognized for his innovations to music as well. He literally changed jazz, and was a major influence in actually introducing black music to America. With his sense of rhythm and innovation, he single handedly changed jazz music from a 2/4 beat to a more complex 4/4 beat, and music focus from limited improvs to actual solo performances.

In the Limelight With his stage presence, charm, and charisma, he was as influential performer as a musician in his time, and had a great impact on today’s music. His sense of music bent the average lyrics and the melodies, and bent the traditional rhythms to construct his own type of music; music that is still renowned today. “ He masterfully blended this knowledge of and respect for the past with an ability to reinterpret it for the future, allowing him to take the music where others had tried and failed” – Fellow trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. With his stage presence, charm, and charisma, he was as influential performer as a musician in his time, and had a great impact on today’s music. His sense of music bent the average lyrics and the melodies, and bent the traditional rhythms to construct his own type of music; music that is still renowned today. “ He masterfully blended this knowledge of and respect for the past with an ability to reinterpret it for the future, allowing him to take the music where others had tried and failed” – Fellow trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

His Recordings The Hot Five (Later the Hot Seven) Was his most popular band, composed of Armstrong's wife Lil Hardin Armstrong on piano, and all New Orleans musicians who Armstrong had worked with in that city the 1910s: Kid Ory on trombone, Johnny Dodds on clarinet, and Johnny St. Cyr on guitar and banjo The Hot Five (Later the Hot Seven) Was his most popular band, composed of Armstrong's wife Lil Hardin Armstrong on piano, and all New Orleans musicians who Armstrong had worked with in that city the 1910s: Kid Ory on trombone, Johnny Dodds on clarinet, and Johnny St. Cyr on guitar and banjo His First “popular” song was “ Ain’t misbehavin” His First “popular” song was “ Ain’t misbehavin” Although there are various songs that stretch from small orchestras, to single renditions, he is most remembered for “Holly Dolly”, and “What a Wonderful World” Although there are various songs that stretch from small orchestras, to single renditions, he is most remembered for “Holly Dolly”, and “What a Wonderful World”

Musical Styles Other than Creole Music, several types of music influenced Armstrong’s music. : Other than Creole Music, several types of music influenced Armstrong’s music. : Ragtime: Most popular in , Ragtime is more of a dance form that varies from 2/4 to 4/4 beat, and melodies that consist of off beats, and a structural bass line. Ragtime: Most popular in , Ragtime is more of a dance form that varies from 2/4 to 4/4 beat, and melodies that consist of off beats, and a structural bass line. Blues: Consist of elongated notes that stretch from one note to the other, and often in 12 bar form Blues: Consist of elongated notes that stretch from one note to the other, and often in 12 bar form Dixieland: This type of music is what I believe influenced him to go for solo and other improves in his music. Dixieland consist of a steady bass line, and separate melodies that are generally composed by a few instruments such as the trumpet, the clarinet, and the trombone. Dixieland: This type of music is what I believe influenced him to go for solo and other improves in his music. Dixieland consist of a steady bass line, and separate melodies that are generally composed by a few instruments such as the trumpet, the clarinet, and the trombone.

The Underlying Rivalry I don't listen to fanatics who tell me how to blow my horn. I guess that's why I've been playing 40 some years. Now, they are getting the best trumpet that I ever had in me. -- Louis Armstrong in 1971 I don't listen to fanatics who tell me how to blow my horn. I guess that's why I've been playing 40 some years. Now, they are getting the best trumpet that I ever had in me. -- Louis Armstrong in 1971 This quote refers to the rivalry between jazz and “bebop”, which quickly replaced swing and modernized jazz. Most actually urged him to follow this trend originally created by Dizzy Gillespie, and soon grew the rivalry between both men. However, no real confrontation had resulted from this coming, but this truly showed the passion of music that he grew up with.

His Popularity Today His charisma and charm that brought new views to music is why he is actually remembered. Some might say that if he wouldn’t have changed music in such a way that he did, music today wouldn’t have been the same. From changing standard music, to more sophisticated and more “swing” performances, he will always be remembered as the greatest jazz player of all time.

What a Wonderful World Although this song is actually played and recorded by Louis Armstrong, the piece was written by Bob Thiele, and George David Weiss, and was first released as a single in This song was written to calm down the increasing chaos of the racially and politically charged climate of the United States, regarding the “hopeful” and “wonderful” future that people can look forward to. Although this song is actually played and recorded by Louis Armstrong, the piece was written by Bob Thiele, and George David Weiss, and was first released as a single in This song was written to calm down the increasing chaos of the racially and politically charged climate of the United States, regarding the “hopeful” and “wonderful” future that people can look forward to.

The Elements In Louis Armstrong’s performances, there are several key elements that can be spotted out. In Louis Armstrong’s performances, there are several key elements that can be spotted out. Rhythm: Rhythm is the heartbeat of jazz music, and plays a key role in jazz music. In Louis’ performances, the rhythm stretches from a slow kind of pace to a moderato and often jumps to a fact pace tempo. This jump often emphasis the swing in Louis’ Music. Known for his solo performances, Louis sometimes changes the pace of the song from his solos, and knowledge of music. Within jazz, a lot of syncopation occurs during the music. Rhythm: Rhythm is the heartbeat of jazz music, and plays a key role in jazz music. In Louis’ performances, the rhythm stretches from a slow kind of pace to a moderato and often jumps to a fact pace tempo. This jump often emphasis the swing in Louis’ Music. Known for his solo performances, Louis sometimes changes the pace of the song from his solos, and knowledge of music. Within jazz, a lot of syncopation occurs during the music. Melody: With Louis music, you don’t really know how the melody is going to go, since there is always a jump. The jazz swing of music’s melody often is arch shaped in notes, varying in high to low pitch, and is often set by the trumpet and his singing. Melody: With Louis music, you don’t really know how the melody is going to go, since there is always a jump. The jazz swing of music’s melody often is arch shaped in notes, varying in high to low pitch, and is often set by the trumpet and his singing. Harmony: In most of Louis’ songs, harmony is composed by the back up singers, that follow the lyrics. Harmony is also composed from “blue notes” in jazz that bend and slide to the next note, creating within itself chords that follow the notes themselves Harmony: In most of Louis’ songs, harmony is composed by the back up singers, that follow the lyrics. Harmony is also composed from “blue notes” in jazz that bend and slide to the next note, creating within itself chords that follow the notes themselves

Elements Continued Although this is not in the original elements, I’d like to stress out the tone and texture within Louis’ music. Since brass instruments can depict several types of moods from stress, to just laid back kind of feeling Although this is not in the original elements, I’d like to stress out the tone and texture within Louis’ music. Since brass instruments can depict several types of moods from stress, to just laid back kind of feeling Another is improvisation that really defines Louis’s music. Often times during the melody and rhythm,there are pauses that allow this to actually go through. The pauses are made by the band, allowing a gap for Louis’ improves to let out, and change the focus from his vocals, to his playing, which is derived from Louis’ confidence and ego. Another is improvisation that really defines Louis’s music. Often times during the melody and rhythm,there are pauses that allow this to actually go through. The pauses are made by the band, allowing a gap for Louis’ improves to let out, and change the focus from his vocals, to his playing, which is derived from Louis’ confidence and ego. Form and Dynamics: Since Louis’ music comes from a variety of different origins (that grew with him), the form and dynamics of his songs are pretty much diverse. Form and Dynamics: Since Louis’ music comes from a variety of different origins (that grew with him), the form and dynamics of his songs are pretty much diverse. ** Within Louis’ music, you can notice that the band is often quite, compared to the loud and strong voice and trumpet playing of Louis Armstrong. ** Within Louis’ music, you can notice that the band is often quite, compared to the loud and strong voice and trumpet playing of Louis Armstrong.