Louis Armstrong Essay Example

journey."New Orleans was without question the most musical city in the United States,and perhaps the whole western hemisphere"(Lincoln). In fact,it is here where Armstrong started his music career in a small street vocal ensemble playing drums. Over several years,his musical ear improved.He began formal music education in 1913 at a prison camp for adolescents of color.He joined the brass band there and learned to play the tambourine and alto saxophone before becoming skilled at the cornet. The band played traditional music, which inspired Armstrong to pursue a career in music. He started going to clubs and playing borrowed instruments from local orchestras. One of his important mentors was King Oliver, who was known as the best cornet player in the city. When Oliver left for Chicago in 1918, Armstrong became part of the "Tuxedo Brass Band" with talented musicians like Paul Domingues, Zatti Singleton, Albert Nichols, and Luis Russell. Alongside participating in jazz parades back home, he also played with a band called the "Jazz-E-Sazz Band," where he encountered music notation for the first time. As his skills improved, Armstrong turned professional as a musician. In 1922, Oliver invited him to join his orchestra called the "Creole Jazz Band" as its second cornet player at "Lincoln Gardens," a Chicago restaurant that could accommodate seven hundred people.
This specific band played a crucial role in shaping Armstrong's future career in jazz circles in Chicago. In fact, it was here that he made his initial recordings as part of this ensemble. The year 1924 marked another significant milestone for Armstrong when he married Lil Hardin, the pianist within their group. It was at her insistence that Armstrong decided

to pursue a solo career moving forward.

Louis Armstrong gained fame for his "hot" solo performances upon joining the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in New York. At this point, Armstrong had developed his own unique improvisational style. After leaving Henderson in 1925, Louis returned to Chicago and became the leader of his own orchestra called "Louis Armstrong and His Stompers". He transitioned from playing the cornet to solely playing the trumpet due to its distinctive sound.

In 1929, he permanently relocated to New York during an era focused on big bands and dance music, quickly gaining national stardom by infusing his vibrant style into this genre. By the mid-1950s, Louis Armstrong had achieved global renown for his tireless creativity. He frequently collaborated with other jazz musicians while performing at jazz festivals and extensively touring Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa (Raum).

Despite experiencing a heart attack in 1959 that affected his performance abilities, Armstrong persisted with concert appearances.Louis Armstrong, in addition to being a musician, provided financial support to the African-American movement led by Martin Luther King. However, he preferred to keep his political involvement separate from his musical career. Nevertheless, behind the scenes, he actively fought for civil rights. Following Armstrong's death in 1971, there was an overwhelming display of sincere condolences during his funeral, which was conducted with great ceremony.

Genius can be found across various fields such as politics, science, and art. These exceptional individuals challenge conventional wisdom and established rules to offer fresh perspectives on the world. Louis Armstrong perfectly embodies this definition of genius through his revolutionary impact on jazz music and its era – becoming a symbol thereof. His journey is inseparable from the

history of jazz itself; he stands out as a pioneer who created its original language and form while ensuring its timeless nature and relevance.

Armstrong artistically redefined jazz by introducing unprecedented expressive means that elevated it to new heights. His influence also shaped subsequent music genres, particularly rock and its derivatives. Jazz has become an integral part of modern music seen daily on television screens, in cinemas, and theaters alike. Without Armstrong's contributions, the contemporary musical landscape would be significantly altered – solidifying his status as the greatest musical genius.

Armstrong's art revealed both the unique beauty and vast expressive potential of jazz while maintaining its inherent enigma that continues to captivate audiences even today.
His life story reflects American society in a unique way. Society had a strong influence on him and shaped his life as a musician. Despite not having formal education or knowledge in music or philosophy, Armstrong's work shows insight, enthusiasm, and joyful spontaneity. His music came from within him and was not solely influenced by inspiration, knowledge, or experience. The true essence of his art emerged from his identity and destiny as a musician, fueled by intense inner emotions of joy and agony. In the midst of disharmony in Louis Armstrong's life, his music expressed love, sincerity, and simplicity (Raum 2006). His life represented three common dramas in American society: overcoming challenges to achieve fame and fortune against all odds during his youth; being a talented artist confined by the complexities of the entertainment industry with no means of escape due to external circumstances.Lastly, it is important to note the significant transformation of Armstrong from a humble boy to a radiant star on

stage. Despite his efforts to maintain his prestigious position and fulfill all associated responsibilities, Armstrong is no longer with us. However, the unique sound of his trumpet and voice continues to endure (Lincoln, 1983).