LOUIS ARMSTRONG“THE GREAT JAZZ IMPROVISER”

By: Mariah BoydSummer 2010 Music 1010

Louis Armstrong was born in the Storyville district of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was born on August 4th 1901.

Louis Armstrong (Date unknown.)

Storyville, New Orleans, 1910-1917

His father, William Armstrong (1881-1922) was a laborer and abandoned Louis and his mother shortly after Louis was born. His mother Mary “Mayann” Albert (1886-1942) was only 15 when she had Louis.

On New Years Eve 1912 when Louis was about 12 he was arrested for getting rowdy and shooting his step-fathers gun into the air. He was sentenced to do time in the home for colored waifs.

The Waifs home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Around 1913.

Louis joined the boys home band and played all around New Orleans. Many people noticed him because of his skills as a cornet player. His popularity jump started his singing career at a young age.

Waifs home band. (1913)Louis stands to the right of the drum.

“Hellzapoppin’”“Hellzapoppin’” is another title song for a risqué Broadway musical from the late 1930’s. Much later in 1968 the song was recorded again In Las Vegas, with Louis Armstrong on vocals and trumpet and several other instruments accompanying.

Cover of one of Louis greatest hits album.

“Heebie Jeebies”“Heebie Jeebies” by Louis Armstrong and his hot five, was released in 1926. Louis Armstrong played the cornet , Kid Ory played the trombone, Johnny Dodds on the clarinet, Louis’ wife Lil on the piano and Johnny St. Cyr on the Banjo.

Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five, Chicago, c. late 1920s.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me”“Dream a little dream of me” was written in 1931. This song has been recorded by many artists including Frankiie Laine, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Mamma Cass(The Mamas and the Papas), and Louis Armstrong. Mamma Cass’ rendition is the best known version of the song. Louis and Ella Fitzgerald also recorded the song as a duet.

Cover an album featuring Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

Hello Dolly “Hello Dolly” was the title

song for a popular 1964 musical. In 1969 the musical was made into a film starring Barbara Streisand. The song was originally recorded by Armstrong and his “All Stars” in 1964. This recording won a Grammy for best vocal performance.

Barbara Streisand and Louis Armstrong in the 1970 film version of “Hello Dolly”

“What a Wonderful World”

In 1968 Louis Armstrong AKA Satchmo, became the oldest artist to reach number one on the charts in the UK when he recorded, “What a Wonderful World”. Louis’ recording of the song was inducted into the Grammy hall of fame in 1999.

Louis listened to many older musicians to help him learn more. The artist he learned most from was Joe(king) Oliver, who became a mentor and a father figure to the young musician.

About 1920

Louis Armstrong (I couldn’t find a date. I think it was around 1919.)

Louis Armstrong played many instruments. In most of His popular songs he sings and/or plays a trumpet solo during the song.

Louis has many nicknames. Some call him the founding father of jazz, the great jazz improviser, or the international ambassador of swing, “Satchmo” which is short for Satchelmouth, because of his big wide grin, dippermouth, and pops.

Louis Daniel Armstrong (1901-1971)

Louis Daniel Armstrong died on July 6th,1971(aged 69) at Corona, Queens, New York, New York.

Bibliography for pictureshttp://keepswinging.blogspot.com/2010/02/louis-armstrongs-jeugdjaren-in-new.html

www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=1044

www.hurricanebrassband.nl/Brassband%20colored...

http://mundosonoro00.wordpress.com/2009/10/

http://library.thinkquest.org/08aug/01914/Famous%20Jazz%20Musicans.htm

http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/2326-GREAT-SCREEN-MOMENTS-BARBRA-STREISAND-AND-LOUIS-ARMSTRONG-IN-HELLO,-DOLLY.html

http://blog.educastur.es/musical/2008/09/26/%C2%BFinocente-o-culpable/

http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2009/08/31/ella-fitzgerald-louis-armstrong-%E2%80%9Cella-louis-mixtape%E2%80%9D/

http://www.neajazzintheschools.org/lesson2/lookpop.php?pictureID=3

http://www.ozsons.com/OriginofJazzE.htm

http://www.noiset.com/craig%20armstrong

http://coverlover.vox.com/library/audio/6a00d4141c2996685e00d41432af8a3c7f.html

Bibliography for Biography and Composition History

Biographyhttp://musiced.about.com/od/blackhistorymonth/p/larmstrong.htmhttp://www.essortment.com/all/louisarmstrong_rsvy.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstronghttp://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/27-louis%20armstrong-timeline.htm

Music historyhttp://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=10089http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Wonderful_Worldhttp://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Dream_a_Little_Dream_of_Mehttp://not-pop-jukebox.com/2009/09/hellzapoppin-louis-armstrong.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inn3Ssdo4xkhttp://www.themadmusicarchive.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=4449http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heebie_Jeebies_(composition)

Bibliography for Listening Guide http://www.fakeplasticrock.com/wp-content/uploads/drumset-diagram.jpghttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=741048276702091783#http://www.heptune.com/heebieje.html