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Compare And Contrast Louis Armstrong And Beiderbecke

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Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke were two influential jazz musicians during the early 20th century. While both made significant contributions to the genre, they represented contrasting styles and achieved varying levels of popularity. Armstrong's "hot style" and global recognition can be attributed to several factors, while different circumstances can explain Beiderbecke's relative obscurity. Some of the points raised by Hughes could be relevant to the discussion of Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke in the context of jazz and racial dynamics in the early 20th century.
To start with, Armstrong and Beiderbecke had different styles and approaches, Armstrong was known for his vibrant, energetic, and innovative style of playing the trumpet …show more content…

Armstrong's musical life unfolded during a period of racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Despite facing significant challenges, he rose to prominence and became a symbol of Black excellence and resilience. Armstrong's success and international acclaim helped break down racial barriers and contributed to changing attitudes toward African American musicians. “Armstrong broke down many barriers throughout the 1930s. He becomes the first African American to have it in his contract that he would not play at a hotel he could not stay at. He becomes the first African American star to get featured billing in a Hollywood movie. Just through his music and the sheer force of his personality, the barriers start falling…He was the first jazz musician to appear on the cover of Time magazine. Louis was the real King of Jazz.” (Reed), Hughes discusses the importance of African American artists challenging stereotypes and confronting racial prejudices through their work. Armstrong's success and popularity helped pave the way for other black musicians to gain recognition and acceptance in the music industry. On the other hand, Beiderbecke's musical career coincided with the Prohibition Era and the Jazz Age, characterized by cultural shifts and changing social attitudes. Beiderbecke, however, faced personal struggles with alcoholism and found it challenging to adapt to the evolving jazz scene, which favored larger, more energetic ensembles (University of

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Geoff Dyer’s book, But Beautiful, is an odd book that blends factual events and stories in the history jazz and turns them into partly fictional stories about some of the most well respected jazz players of all time. The book is split into different parts. There is one story running through the entire book with 8 short stories in all and an afterwards that talks about the tradition, influence and innovation. In the main portion of the book Geoff talks about Duke Ellington and Harry Carney, Lester Young, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, Ben Webster, Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, and Art Pepper carefully weaving the stories together. Geoff Dyer begins his book with Duke Ellington and Harry Carney between gigs driving on the road.

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Throughout America's history, African Americans suffered racism, bias, including constant scolding during the 19th century. Nevertheless, perspectives shifted distinctly, when the American Dream surged through hearts of the previously shunned race, migrating in mass numbers, known as The Great Migration. With the traveling immigrants, they brought about Jazz to liven up the dull streets with legendary names such as Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington. Their new sounds caught thousands of people’s attention, improving the African American race to new confidence as never before. As a result, their legacy not only established new grounds for African Americans but also contributed to America’s modern swing to the sounds of Jazz.

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In the realm of music, African Americans celebrated blues music. The blues music that spread during the 1920s “expressed the longings and philosophical perspectives of the black working class” (). In addition to blues music, jazz became a dominant musical form which established Harlem as an exciting cultural center, resulting in abundant dance halls created where famous musicians such as the trumpeter Louis Armstrong, pianist Duke Ellington, and pianist Fats Waller could perform their unique solos and share their musical talents in an environment that embraced the freedom of self-expression. These developments that occurred in this period called the Jazz Age indeed empowered African Americans to use their musical talents in an effort to strengthen their traditions, culture, and racial status in an anti-black prejudiced society: “"Wild Dreams of Bringing Glory and Honor to the Negro Race," addresses the composer's difficulties in overcoming negative stereotypes, myths, and perceptions that were most often based in racial prejudice” (). Similarly, African Americans contributed to the field of drama, forming all black theatre groups and creating productions that often focused on portraying the folk experience (the experience of blacks in the South) and protesting racial oppression and black stereotypes.

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He was foundational influence in jazz. In addition, he demonstrated great skills as an improviser by using lyrics and melodies in a unique way for expressive purposes. When Louis Armstrong was a child, some decisions helped shaped his music career. At age 11, Armstrong fired a pistol into the air and was sent to Colored Waif’s home, a reformatory for black youth. At his stay, Armstrong learned how to read music, play the cornet and became the leader of the home band.

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Amongst one of those arts to be recognized was music, especially jazz. Jazz had become fairly popular and the 1920s became what was known as the “Jazz Age”. Jazz gathered plenty of people night after night to see the exact performers as the night before and with the use of improvisation no two performances would ever be the same. There were a ton of musical events headlining Jazz because of its rhythms and unique instrumental solos. “Many singers like Billie Holiday made the blues and jazz so popular with their vocals, as well as other artists like Louis Armstrong who brought in huge audiences, both black and white Americans alike, while they all caught jazz fever”.

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In 1936, Armstrong became the first African American to be featured in a Hollywood movie and to write an autobiography. Also, in 1937 he was the first African American to be on a sponsored radio broadcast. Moreover, he performed at hotels that didn't allow African Americans to stay, and he had contracts that no other African American had in the 1930s (Source A). Armstrong brought together scat singing, blues, and his trumpet and cornet to make a modern jazz. In his lifetime, Armstrong made thousands or records and inspired many to follow their dreams.

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