Do you know the song “What a Wonderful World?” Every American must know that popular song that even today it is known all over the world. Louis Armstrong had been known by many reasons. When people think of early jazz, they probably think of Louis Armstrong or other famous artists that made jazz music popular. He was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was known for his trumpet skills, cornet skills and also his one of a kind voice. Armstrong was very well-known for his improvisation skills, and his charismatic performances (“Louis Armstrong" 1). His most known songs during his career were “Star Dust,” “La Via En Rose” and “What a Wonderful World” (“Louis Armstrong Biography” 2). He was also one of the first African American
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Louis Armstrong was born in an unfortunate area that was known as “The Battlefield”—black Storyville where all kinds of crimes, drugs, disease, and prostitution took place (Larson, pg. 55). His father, William Armstrong, was a factory worker who abandoned him and his mother during Armstrong’s infancy. Armstrong’s mother, Mary Albert, was a prostitute, who often left him with his grandmother. Because of Armstrong’s life and financial issues, he had to leave school during his fifth grade year to start working for a Jewish family, named the Karnofskys, who gave him a job by delivering coal and picking up junk (“Louis Armstrong Biography” 3). The family treated him as a family member and encouraged his talents by buying him his first cornet. In 1912, Armstrong fired shots in the air during a New Year’s Eve celebration and was arrested. He was sent to the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys where he received musical instruction of the cornet and discovered his musical talents. When he was released in 1914, as Armstrong continued to struggle for ways to earn money, he began …show more content…
As Armstrong’s career grew larger, he toured in the late 1950’s. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack on his way to Italy. However, the heart attack did not stop him and he was back on the tour, performing 300 nights a year in the 1960’s. In 1963, Armstrong continued to be popular, yet, he hadn’t recorded anything new in two years. Broadway decided to call him that year to record a title for a show that hadn’t been released to the public named Hello, Dolly! The record was released in 1964 and became an instant hit; it was number 1 in the pop music charts. In 1967, Armstrong recorded “What a Wonderful World,” one his most known songs that even today it is popular. This song was distinct from any other songs that he had ever recorded because there was no trumpet and Armstrong’s voice was very pleasing. This song was a number one hit immediately and was known all around the world. This song was also number one in England and South Africa. By 1968, Armstrong’s health worsens and he had heart and kidney problems which led him to stop performing in 1969. That same year, he spent a lot of time at home, yet practiced the trumpet every day. Fortunately, in 1970, he was able to perform again but not for long due to his heart attack in New York that prevented him to perform for two months. In 1971, Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was born in an unfortunate area that was known as “The Battlefield”—black Storyville where all kinds of crimes, drugs, disease, and prostitution took place (Larson, pg. 55). His father, William Armstrong, was a factory worker who abandoned him and his mother during Armstrong’s infancy. Armstrong’s mother, Mary Albert, was a prostitute, who often left him with his grandmother. Because of Armstrong’s life and financial issues, he had to leave school during his fifth grade year to start working for a Jewish family, named the Karnofskys, who gave him a job by delivering coal and picking up junk (“Louis Armstrong Biography” 3). The family treated him as a family member and encouraged his talents by buying him his first cornet. In 1912, Armstrong fired shots in the air during a New Year’s Eve celebration and was arrested. He was sent to the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys where he received musical instruction of the cornet and discovered his musical talents. When he was released in 1914, as Armstrong continued to struggle for ways to earn money, he began …show more content…
As Armstrong’s career grew larger, he toured in the late 1950’s. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack on his way to Italy. However, the heart attack did not stop him and he was back on the tour, performing 300 nights a year in the 1960’s. In 1963, Armstrong continued to be popular, yet, he hadn’t recorded anything new in two years. Broadway decided to call him that year to record a title for a show that hadn’t been released to the public named Hello, Dolly! The record was released in 1964 and became an instant hit; it was number 1 in the pop music charts. In 1967, Armstrong recorded “What a Wonderful World,” one his most known songs that even today it is popular. This song was distinct from any other songs that he had ever recorded because there was no trumpet and Armstrong’s voice was very pleasing. This song was a number one hit immediately and was known all around the world. This song was also number one in England and South Africa. By 1968, Armstrong’s health worsens and he had heart and kidney problems which led him to stop performing in 1969. That same year, he spent a lot of time at home, yet practiced the trumpet every day. Fortunately, in 1970, he was able to perform again but not for long due to his heart attack in New York that prevented him to perform for two months. In 1971, Armstrong