Birth

Born Louis Daniel Armstrong, he was raised and grew up in a poor family, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up was pretty tough for Louis. As an infant, his father had abandoned him and his family. Soon after, his mother left him and his younger sister, Beatrice Armstrong Collins and the two were forced to live with their grandmother Josephine Armstrong.

Childhood

During his child years, he first learned how to play the Cornet which was loaned to him by the Karnafsky's (A Jewish Immigrant Family.) A musical instrument similar to that of the trumpet. As he was growing up, he developed a growing interest in his cornet and later began following and listening to the older musicians play in the brass band parades every chance he had.

Teenage Years

Armstong later got a chance to play in the actual brass bands where he learned from Joe "King" Oliver who served as a mentor and father to Louis, and on steamboats. While on the steamboats he toured with the brass band called Fate Marable, which had toured up and down the Mississippi River. As Joe Oliver left town in 1919, Armstrong took his place in Kid Ory's Band, soon becoming regarded as the top hot Jazz band in the city.

Early Career/Career

In 1922, Louis joined the Exodus to Chicago. There, he met with Oliver who offered him a spot in their Creole Jazz Band. During the Early 20's, the Creole Jazz band was the hottest and most influential band around Chicago. Soon after, Armstrong had made his first recordings, including taking on some solos while playing 2nd cornet in Oliver's Band. Infleunced by his wife, Louis decided to move to New York, to play with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. While in the orchestra, he retired his cornet and switched to playing the trumpet, to have a better blend with the whole ensemble. Soon after, Louis had moved back to Chicago in 1925 and began recording his on music styles under his own groups which were called the Hot Five and The Hot Seven. He recorded many songs under his groups such as: "Potato Head Blues," and "West End Blues."

End of Career

Armstrong Soon retired his groups and formed a six piece group consisting of the top swing and dixieland musicians. This group was known as "The All Stars." During this period, Armstrong had made many recordings and appeared in over 30 films. In 1964, he managed to sell his best recording "Hello Dolly!" The song went #1 in the charts and Louis Armstrong became known as the oldest individual to achieve the number one spot in the charts at age 63.

Death and Legacy.

Louis Armstrong died of a heart attack in on July 6, 1971, at age 69. At the time of his death, he was residing in Queens, New York City. The influence of Armstrong on the development of Jazz is basically unmeasurable. His personality and style was so strong, that it sometimes overshadowed his contributions as a great singer and musician. As a prodical trumpet player, Louis Armstrong had an extraordindary talent for melodic improvision. Through his playing, the trumpet soon emerged as a solo instrument in Jazz. He was a masterful accompanist and ensemble player in addition to his amazing playing ability and skills as a soloist. With all his talents and innovations, he truly raised the bar musically for all those who came after him.