Louis Armstrong

Final Project Christian Lucy

Early Lyfe
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana August 4th, 1901 Rough family lifedad left him as a baby, mom resorted to prostitution to support fam Had to work as a kideverything from cleaning graves to selling coal to singing on the streets Naturally musically giftedbegan to teach himself how to play the cornet (instrument similar to trumpet) Exposed to lots of music thru his travels in the city Finally received formal music instruction at Colored Waif's Home for Boys

Youth
As he became a young man, he started playing gigs on the town Was noticed by several top players on the scene, such as Joe King Oliver who became his mentor When Oliver moved to Chicago, Louis replaced him in Olivers former band called Kid Orys Band. This band opened the door of opportunity for Armstrong, helped him improve music reading skills and develop his chops

Adult lyfe
In 1922, Oliver invited Armstrong to play in his new band in Chicago, the Creole Jazz Band Began touring and recording this band which immersed him fully in the industry and opened more doors and started his career as a recording artist Would record tons of music, with artists we have studied such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and many others

Death ;(
After a lifetime of music making, Louis Armstrong passed away in his home in his sleep from a heart attack on July 6, 1971 at age 69 after a few years of health problems.

What A Wonderful World

Originally written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss First Recorded by Louis Armstrong Intended to soften the racial and political climate of the time

What A Wonderful World Listening Guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5TwT6 9i1lU Listen for: freedom in the vocal melody. Armstrong doesnt sing every note exactly on the beat, freely but tastefully bending the rhythm, and also uses subtle pitch bending on certain notes. While this is a pop song, he takes these elements from jazz improvisation and implements them in a pop format.

Stardust
Composed by Hoagy Carmichael; lyrics by Mitchell Parish A Song about a song Originally titled Star Dust Over 1500 total recordingsone of most recorded songs of 20th century

Stardust Listening guide

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r94-7nJt-WM Listen for: Big Band. Front Line (various horns playing supporting harmony and leads/melodies), Rhythm Section (string bass, guitar, drums, pianotho it is slightly hard to hear the rhythm sections different instruments) that holds down the groove and keeps the song at a good pace. Improvisation by Armstrong. Listen to how the improv is structurednot just random noodling. You can tell he is following the rules and improvising within the structure of jazz. His phrases, while spontaneous, are also thought out and structured and not just random nonsense.

Bibliography
http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/12/5/louisarmstrong-stardust-aka-star-dust http://www.pophistorydig.com/?tag=what-awonderful-world-1967 http://www.redhotjazz.com/louie.html http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_ar mstrong_louis.htm http://www.biography.com/people/louisarmstrong-9188912#awesm=~oCgIyQI50HOEvK