New Orleans native Louis Armstrong was the very first Jazz trumpet soloist to become world famous. His unique style and interesting past contributed to his world wide success as a jazz musician, and he was a huge influence on jazz music around the world. He had a huge smile, and as a result was nicknamed stachelmouth. This was later reduced to “sachmo”. However, it all started during his childhood. His father abandoned the family when Louis was just a little boy, and left his family to fend for itself. As a result, his mother turned to prostitution. Louis would often sing on the streets for money in order to help his mother. However, when Louis was twelve years old, in 1913, Louis fired a gun into the air on New Year’s Eve. He was quickly shipped away to the New Orleans colored waifs’ home for boys. Luckily, the Homes music instructor, peter Davis, noticed that Armstrong was quite talented and taught him how to sing, rhythm, and trumpet. When Louis turned fourteen, he was released from the Colored waif’s home for boys. He returned home, and grabbed any job he could. He often worked at local bars, and was introduced to a number of upcoming jazz bands. His favorite band was the Kid orgy band, led by Joe “king” Oliver. Oliver had become a good friend of Armstrong, and decided to be his mentor. By the mid 1920’s, Armstrong had formed his own Jazz band known as “Hot Five” (later known as the “Hot Seven”). He soon left them in 1929, and relocated to Los Angeles, and then Chicago soon after. He created a new traveling band, and travelled to New Orleans. Unfortunately, he was faced with racism when the white radio announcer refused to say his name on air because Armstrong was black. Luckily, his concert was still a big success. He soon toured all over Europe and America. He hired a man names Joe Glaser to be his manager. Joe stayed by Armstrong’s side for the rest of his life. Louis Armstrong was by far, one of the most important musical figures in the history of jazz. The question is why was he so popular? What made him stand out? What made him so important in the history of Jazz music? He had a raspy voice, and very little professional training. People liked him because he was unique. He was not your ordinary jazz trumpet player. His raspy voice was new, and uncommon in most music of the time. He also had his own original trumpet style. Because he was lacking in professional training, he developed his own techniques and ways of playing. He was also extremely talented at playing his horn. His lips often bled because of this, but he kept playing. He was important to jazz music, because it was him who spread Jazz around the world. He was so unique, so amazing at performing, and so different, people flocked to him. They were so used to the same boring old muscic, that when louis came into the picture, he was loved by all.
