Louis Armstrong is known for being the man who had a gravelly singing voice and played the trumpet well. His familiar voice and many hits are known worldwide to anyone whether you be a jazz fan or not. Louis Armstrong was one of the most popular jazz icons of the 20th century, and he shaped music during that era. His music is even well-known today. This paper will explain how Armstrong modernized the Jazz industry and had a big influence on music. Music would be completely different without him. Louis Armstrong modernized the jazz industry by using unique style which paved the pathway for music today. During his middle life, Armstrong was able to change influence and change jazz in many ways. One of the big changes he made during the height
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Armstrong had many influential tours and songs that changed the way music developed. “However ‘Potato Head Blues’ came to be, it is one of the greatest solos recorded by a jazzman, a landmark of modern music that long ago achieved iconic status, both musically and culturally” Teachout stated on page 106. “Potato Head Blues” was a song that had a big influence on the developing American music sound and on many other musicians. He was also considered one of the most important improvisers in jazz industry by many. This meaning that his performances were unique because he wasn’t a straightforward performer like most were at the time. He would be spontaneous and creative, working that into his music. He was described by Teachout as “one of the best entertainers by the Eisenhower era” and he changed the way music was viewed and made in America …show more content…
It started out as a low-class, urban, African-American genre that was mostly centered in New Orleans. By the time Armstrong was out of his prime, Jazz was shaped into a middle-class music genre, and the people who made it were truly artists. Armstrong was able to make the genre truly something different as Bergreen states, “Jazz was now a distinct entity: no longer synonymous with popular music, yet increasingly in the grip of the 'moldy figs'.' Only Louis successfully straddled these two world-by confounding his educated, well-meaning fans even as he obliged them with 'tradition playing'” (407). Jazz was able to be distinguished as it’s own popular genre with artists who are “Jazz players”. One of the main ways Jazz became distinguishable was when Armstrong sang a jazzy interpretation of the pop song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. As other genres were taking over during the 40s, he was able to revitalize mainstream jazz with the formation of the “All-Stars” ensemble, which was a popular jazz band. All of this was due to Armstrong’s musical influence on the genre, and a big part being he was one of the most popular “Jazz
Armstrong had many influential tours and songs that changed the way music developed. “However ‘Potato Head Blues’ came to be, it is one of the greatest solos recorded by a jazzman, a landmark of modern music that long ago achieved iconic status, both musically and culturally” Teachout stated on page 106. “Potato Head Blues” was a song that had a big influence on the developing American music sound and on many other musicians. He was also considered one of the most important improvisers in jazz industry by many. This meaning that his performances were unique because he wasn’t a straightforward performer like most were at the time. He would be spontaneous and creative, working that into his music. He was described by Teachout as “one of the best entertainers by the Eisenhower era” and he changed the way music was viewed and made in America …show more content…
It started out as a low-class, urban, African-American genre that was mostly centered in New Orleans. By the time Armstrong was out of his prime, Jazz was shaped into a middle-class music genre, and the people who made it were truly artists. Armstrong was able to make the genre truly something different as Bergreen states, “Jazz was now a distinct entity: no longer synonymous with popular music, yet increasingly in the grip of the 'moldy figs'.' Only Louis successfully straddled these two world-by confounding his educated, well-meaning fans even as he obliged them with 'tradition playing'” (407). Jazz was able to be distinguished as it’s own popular genre with artists who are “Jazz players”. One of the main ways Jazz became distinguishable was when Armstrong sang a jazzy interpretation of the pop song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. As other genres were taking over during the 40s, he was able to revitalize mainstream jazz with the formation of the “All-Stars” ensemble, which was a popular jazz band. All of this was due to Armstrong’s musical influence on the genre, and a big part being he was one of the most popular “Jazz