Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong once said, “Music’s my language. One of those trips over the world, maybe the musicians can’t speak with you, but play ‘Struttin’ with Some Barbecue’ and they’ll know their parts and chime right in.” (UXL Biographies) What Louis Armstrong means is that no matter what language a person speaks, music is universal. For a young man who grew up with, at the very least, a spotty education—this fact is important for Louis Armstrong. What he may have lacked in formal education, he mastered in music. He could relate to any person—no matter their social and economic standing--and be admired, appreciated, and respected. Louis Armstrong was an important figure in 1920’s America because he popularized and changed jazz …show more content…
Oliver was living and preforming in Chicago when he took Armstrong under his wing. Oliver was beginning to weaken as a performer due to having a gum disease (Talk of the Nation). He knew about Armstrong because Armstrong had been his protégé in New Orleans (Ibid). So, he sent for Armstrong and Armstrong quickly took a train to Chicago. He began playing with a band that was the group with which he would make his first records in 1923 (Ibid). According to the interview on Talk of the Nation, “…Armstrong never, never—his loyalty to Oliver was never diminished. He was a true believer in the greatness of King Oliver, as he was known in Chicago, and Oliver shaped his style. Oliver taught him the importance of simplicity, of appealing to the people” (Ibid). This would remain Armstrong’s rule for the remainder of his life as a musician. Clearly, the appreciation that Americans were giving Jazz in the 1920s made these previously poor, black men famous beyond …show more content…
When he got to Britain, he gained the nickname “Satchmo”. Though his popularity began in the 1920’s, “Satchmo” gained worldwide attention through the next four decades (UXL Biographies). The world was captivated by Armstrong, and there was no turning back for him. At the time when Louis Armstrong was at his peak, Jazz had been popularized and improved on. Jazz was more enjoyable for everyone because of him. At the end of his career, and then life, there were many lessons that people learned from Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong was a very intelligent, very sweet, and very committed to his work. Armstrong never gave up on anything he did, all while having a good time. He appreciated his fans and spoke to them frequently. I can apply these lessons to my life by being nicer to people, and studying more in school. In addition, I can be more focused and more determined to finish things. Combine these traits with being an excellent trumpet player, changing the world of music as we know it, and overcoming all of the odds, and Louis Armstrong is someone to look up
Louis Armstrong once said, “Music’s my language. One of those trips over the world, maybe the musicians can’t speak with you, but play ‘Struttin’ with Some Barbecue’ and they’ll know their parts and chime right in.” (UXL Biographies) What Louis Armstrong means is that no matter what language a person speaks, music is universal. For a young man who grew up with, at the very least, a spotty education—this fact is important for Louis Armstrong. What he may have lacked in formal education, he mastered in music. He could relate to any person—no matter their social and economic standing--and be admired, appreciated, and respected. Louis Armstrong was an important figure in 1920’s America because he popularized and changed jazz …show more content…
Oliver was living and preforming in Chicago when he took Armstrong under his wing. Oliver was beginning to weaken as a performer due to having a gum disease (Talk of the Nation). He knew about Armstrong because Armstrong had been his protégé in New Orleans (Ibid). So, he sent for Armstrong and Armstrong quickly took a train to Chicago. He began playing with a band that was the group with which he would make his first records in 1923 (Ibid). According to the interview on Talk of the Nation, “…Armstrong never, never—his loyalty to Oliver was never diminished. He was a true believer in the greatness of King Oliver, as he was known in Chicago, and Oliver shaped his style. Oliver taught him the importance of simplicity, of appealing to the people” (Ibid). This would remain Armstrong’s rule for the remainder of his life as a musician. Clearly, the appreciation that Americans were giving Jazz in the 1920s made these previously poor, black men famous beyond …show more content…
When he got to Britain, he gained the nickname “Satchmo”. Though his popularity began in the 1920’s, “Satchmo” gained worldwide attention through the next four decades (UXL Biographies). The world was captivated by Armstrong, and there was no turning back for him. At the time when Louis Armstrong was at his peak, Jazz had been popularized and improved on. Jazz was more enjoyable for everyone because of him. At the end of his career, and then life, there were many lessons that people learned from Armstrong.
Louis Armstrong was a very intelligent, very sweet, and very committed to his work. Armstrong never gave up on anything he did, all while having a good time. He appreciated his fans and spoke to them frequently. I can apply these lessons to my life by being nicer to people, and studying more in school. In addition, I can be more focused and more determined to finish things. Combine these traits with being an excellent trumpet player, changing the world of music as we know it, and overcoming all of the odds, and Louis Armstrong is someone to look up