An all-star virtuoso, he came to prominence in the s, influencing countless musicians with both his daring trumpet style and unique vocals. Armstrong's charismatic stage presence impressed not only the jazz world but all of popular music. Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, , in New Orleans, Louisiana, in a neighborhood so poor that it was nicknamed "The Battlefield. Armstrong had a difficult childhood: His father was a factory worker and abandoned the family soon after Louis's birth. His mother, who often turned to prostitution, frequently left him with his maternal grandmother. Armstrong was obligated to leave school in the fifth grade to begin working. A local Jewish family, the Karnofskys, gave young Armstrong a job collecting junk and delivering coal. They also encouraged him to sing and often invited him into their home for meals.
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Louis Daniel Armstrong August 4, — July 6, , nicknamed " Satchmo ", [a] " Satch ", and " Pops ", [2] was an American trumpeter , composer, vocalist, and actor who was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades, from the s to the s, and different eras in the history of jazz. Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. In Chicago, he spent time with other popular jazz musicians, reconnecting with his friend Bix Beiderbecke and spending time with Hoagy Carmichael and Lil Hardin. He earned a reputation at " cutting contests ", and relocated to New York in order to join Fletcher Henderson 's band. With his instantly recognizable rich, gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer and skillful improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song. He was also skilled at scat singing. Armstrong is renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice as well as his trumpet playing.
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His final document, with the rationale for selecting each tune, consumes 16 pages and can be found at tinyurl. In the interest of space, the following summaries highlight his take on each of the 20 recordings. For the next minute, Armstrong swarms Bechet with an endless torrent of fiery playing, including a pair of dazzling, mind-bending breaks. Bechet is barely heard for the rest of the performance. Armstrong began making records under his own name and assembled a studio group made up of his wife Lil on piano and three elders from his New Orleans days: trombonist Kid Ory, clarinetist Johnny Dodds and banjoist Johnny St. Working relentlessly in Chicago, he was perfecting not only his trumpet playing, but also his singing, scatting, showmanship and overall stage presence. Armstrong began touring the country as a leader, often fronting different bands from city to city. He was extending the range of the trumpet, not only just playing high notes, but playing them in a powerful, firm, golden tone. If you ask me to create a playlist of just one essential Louis Armstrong recording, this would be the one.
And now that the Royal Family has introduced Prince Louis to the world , we couldn't help but think of perhaps the world's most famous and favourite namesake: Louis Armstrong. Co-writer George David Weiss later said he always hoped Louis would perform it, as he was inspired by Armstrong's ability to bring people of different races together. It wasn't initially a hit in the United States, selling fewer than 1, copies, but was a huge success in the UK, where Louis became the oldest ever star to have a number one single, aged The song's title is taken from Bond's final words in both the novel and the film, spoken after his wife's death. Barry chose Armstrong because he felt he could "deliver the title line with irony".
