Louis Armstrong was born on August 04, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Louis went to school at the Colored Waif's Home for Boys at 11 years old. Here at the school, was where he had an early exposure to music. He often worked as a trash cleaner and delivering coal. His love for trumpet and jazz came up in an unusual way.
When he was only 12 years old, he took his stepfather's gun and shot it at a New Years Eve party and got arrested by the police. Because of that incident, he was moved to the Colored Waifs home for boys. Here, his teacher introduced him to the trumpet, and his love for music. After being released from the boy's home, he got more music teachings from one of the best trumpet players in history; Joe King Oliver. Over the years, Louis would become almost an apprentice of Joe learning trumpet techniques and different kinds of music. On some days however, Louis would even become a substitute for Joe's other teachings. Louis would get married and start a family, fast. At just age 17, Louis Armstrong had gotten married and had adopted a 3 year old, caring for him his whole life. Before even reaching his 20's, Louis had reached remarkable heights.
In 1918 (age 17) Louis joined Kid Ory's band; arguably the most famous band in New Orleans. He would often play "gigs" at restaurants and bars. In his younger years, Louis had met many other jazz legends, giving him tips and ideas for playing. In 1922 Louis was asked to go to Chicago to play in Kid Ory's other band. In Chicago, Louis Armstrong was more recognized than ever as a professional blues trumpet player. His first recorded song was Chimes Blues in 1923.
His first love was with the pianist of the band that he was in; Lillian Hardin. After a couple of months they had gotten married in 1924. When he went to New York to play in one of his friend's band, he began to record dozens of songs with many people and genres including blues, jazz, and slow.
When he was only 12 years old, he took his stepfather's gun and shot it at a New Years Eve party and got arrested by the police. Because of that incident, he was moved to the Colored Waifs home for boys. Here, his teacher introduced him to the trumpet, and his love for music. After being released from the boy's home, he got more music teachings from one of the best trumpet players in history; Joe King Oliver. Over the years, Louis would become almost an apprentice of Joe learning trumpet techniques and different kinds of music. On some days however, Louis would even become a substitute for Joe's other teachings. Louis would get married and start a family, fast. At just age 17, Louis Armstrong had gotten married and had adopted a 3 year old, caring for him his whole life. Before even reaching his 20's, Louis had reached remarkable heights.
In 1918 (age 17) Louis joined Kid Ory's band; arguably the most famous band in New Orleans. He would often play "gigs" at restaurants and bars. In his younger years, Louis had met many other jazz legends, giving him tips and ideas for playing. In 1922 Louis was asked to go to Chicago to play in Kid Ory's other band. In Chicago, Louis Armstrong was more recognized than ever as a professional blues trumpet player. His first recorded song was Chimes Blues in 1923.
His first love was with the pianist of the band that he was in; Lillian Hardin. After a couple of months they had gotten married in 1924. When he went to New York to play in one of his friend's band, he began to record dozens of songs with many people and genres including blues, jazz, and slow.
Around his late 20's Louis had finally formed his own band called the Hot Five. With his band the Hot Five, they had recorded more than 60 songs, topping the top charts at one point. Historians and music legends still think that Louis had one of the most influential kinds of music. This music drastically changed the way that America listened to music. For example, before Louis and the jazz period America only listened to mainly classical and slow music. And after, we began listening to faster paced music like jazz and blues. Armstrong's most famous songs however began with a man pianist named Earl Hines. The two men recorded very famous songs "Weather Bird," and "West End Blues" and got a lot of fame from them.
At around age 30, Louis began going all around the world. He was flying to England, Europe, and both corners of America. While on these trips, he faced a big deal of criticism for having such fast-paced music and because of being black. However all of this criticism didn't stop him, he kept on singing. He also faced many troubles including a split with him and his wife Lillian. Over the years, Louis began making marks in history. He was the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography and the first African american to be casted in a major Hollywood movie. He was also the first African American to host a radio talk show.
Louis Armstrong faced many problems with marriage. His first wife, Daisy Parker who had adopted a disabled 3 year-old who was Louis' cousin who died giving birth. The marriage failed drastically and ended in a split and divorce, soon after the divorce she died. His second wife Lil Hardin Armstrong grew apart and divorced. His third wife was his longtime girlfriend, it lasted for 4 years. They had a divorce in 1942. His last spouse was Lucille Wilson, the marriage lasted until Louis' death from a heart attack. Not so long ago, Sharon Preston-Folta claimed to be Louis' daughter, which means he probably had an affair in the 1950s. They found out about this in 2012.
Louis Armstrong also had many nicknames based on the way he acted. Some of them included Ambassador Sasquatch, dipper, Satchmo, and dippermouth. The nickname ambassador Sasquatch came when he gained a lot of popularity all around the world for his famous tours. The nickname Satchmo came to him when the British listeners misheard the word Satchel Mouth.
Around Louis's 50's and 60's, he began to get numerous heart attacks that began slowing down his tours, and the way he played music. One of his last songs, also one of the world's most all-time favorite songs; "What a Wonderful World". This song let people know that Louis is proud of his accomplishments, as well as his mistakes. Louis died in his sleep on July 6th 1971.
At around age 30, Louis began going all around the world. He was flying to England, Europe, and both corners of America. While on these trips, he faced a big deal of criticism for having such fast-paced music and because of being black. However all of this criticism didn't stop him, he kept on singing. He also faced many troubles including a split with him and his wife Lillian. Over the years, Louis began making marks in history. He was the first African American jazz musician to write an autobiography and the first African american to be casted in a major Hollywood movie. He was also the first African American to host a radio talk show.
Louis Armstrong faced many problems with marriage. His first wife, Daisy Parker who had adopted a disabled 3 year-old who was Louis' cousin who died giving birth. The marriage failed drastically and ended in a split and divorce, soon after the divorce she died. His second wife Lil Hardin Armstrong grew apart and divorced. His third wife was his longtime girlfriend, it lasted for 4 years. They had a divorce in 1942. His last spouse was Lucille Wilson, the marriage lasted until Louis' death from a heart attack. Not so long ago, Sharon Preston-Folta claimed to be Louis' daughter, which means he probably had an affair in the 1950s. They found out about this in 2012.
Louis Armstrong also had many nicknames based on the way he acted. Some of them included Ambassador Sasquatch, dipper, Satchmo, and dippermouth. The nickname ambassador Sasquatch came when he gained a lot of popularity all around the world for his famous tours. The nickname Satchmo came to him when the British listeners misheard the word Satchel Mouth.
Around Louis's 50's and 60's, he began to get numerous heart attacks that began slowing down his tours, and the way he played music. One of his last songs, also one of the world's most all-time favorite songs; "What a Wonderful World". This song let people know that Louis is proud of his accomplishments, as well as his mistakes. Louis died in his sleep on July 6th 1971.