The Admirable Louis

ArmstrongBy: Leah Colvin

Early life Nobody is sure when

Armstrong was born Some say he was born

July 4, 1900 Home town was New

Orleans Lived in a district of

run-down, wooden shanties and shotgun houses

Early life• Father: Willie

Armstrong• Willie abandoned

Louis and his mother before Louis was born.

• Louis didn’t speak much of Willie.

• Mother: Mayann Albert

• Loving relationship and genuine affection for each other

• Mayann tired her best for him.

Musical talents Learned how to

play jazz in dance halls not far from his home

Sang in a choked and graveled voice

Introduced scat singing in 1926

Played the trumpet and cornet

Bands & Movies• From 1919-1922 he played as the second cornet player in the band Ory

• First band: Ory • Played in bands in Chicago, New Orleans, and New York

• Hot Five Band organized by Armstrong in Chicago

• “Hello Dolly”: last movie he was featured in

• In 1929 starred in “Hot Chocolates” on Broadway

Awards• Armstrong was the

cover of Time Magazine on February 21, 1949.

• “Best Male Vocal Performance for the song “Hello Dolly!” in 1965

• It was also voted for “Record of the Year”.

• “Top 100 Entertainers of the 20th Century” in 1999

• “100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century” in 1999

Awards• Statue in New

Orleans at the Armstrong Park in 1980

• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in 2001

• “Hello Dolly!” was number one on Top 40 Albums for 6 weeks.

Later Life• Joe Glaser-Manager

between 1935 until his death

• After Armstrong featured in movies he toured the world with changing All-stars sextets for the rest of his life.

• Stopped playing the trumpet but continued to sing because of his health

• Heart attack- 1971