Louis Armstrong was an influential jazz trumpeter and singer. He was recognized as a pioneer for scat singing. Louis Armstrong influenced jazz heavily, contributing to jazz as his career progress. He came from humble beginnings, thanking his supporters as he prospered. He broke racial barriers during a segregated America. Throughout his life, he’s earned honors, influential people, and made innovations to jazz. Louis Armstrong was a jazz trumpeter who faced struggles, could be described as brilliant and a leader, contributed to society, and ended up as a music legend. Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901 to Mary “Mayann” Albert and boyfriend William Armstrong. Louis Armstrong grew up …show more content…
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. Armstrong started to draw attention by his cornet playing, thus the start of his music career. According to biography.com, it states, “On New Year’s Eve in 1912, Armstrong fired his stepfather’s gun in the air during a party and was arrested on the spot. He was then sent to Colored Waif’s Home for boys. There, he received musical instruction on the cornet…Armstrong began earning a reputation as a fine jazz player.” Louis Armstrong was a musical legend. Armstrong as known for his innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist. He is considered to be one of the greatest musicians in American history. Louis Armstrong shaped jazz music to where it …show more content…
An obstacle he faced is that when he was eleven years old he dropped out of school to make money. To overcome this, he started singing a quartet of boys in the streets. According to Wikipedia.org, it states, “After dropping out of Fisk school at age eleven, Armstrong joined a quartet of boys who sang in the streets for money.” Another obstacle Armstrong faced was that he was so poor that he had to take care of his family. To overcome this, he began to work for a Jewish family, the Karnoskys. They treated him like their own son. In addition, they inspired him to pursue a music career. According to biography.com, it states, “Armstrong had a difficult childhood…Armstrong was obligated to leave school in the fifth grade to begin working. A Jewish family, The Karnofskys, gave young Armstrong a job collecting junk. They also encouraged his to sing and dance.” Louis Armstrong would be considered a leader. Armstrong is a model for jazz musicians today. He has made so many contribution to jazz music, inspired many artist and improved jazz. According to Wikipedia.org, it states,” Through his playing, the trumpet emerged as a solo instrument in jazz music and is widely used today. With his innovations, he raised the bar musically.” Lastly, Armstrong has contributed to society. He helped solidify jazz as a serious genre and introduce it the mainstream. Armstrong showed the world that jazz was a legitimate form of music.