Louis Satchmo Armstrong

Louis Satchmo Armstrong (Daniel Louis Armstrong), 1901-1971, American jazz trumpet virtuoso, singer, and bandleader, b. New Orleans. He learned to play the cornet in the band of the Waif's Home in New Orleans, and after playing with Kid Ory's orchestra he made several trips (1918-21) with a Mississippi riverboat band. He joined (1922) King Oliver 's group in Chicago, where he met and married the pianist Lilian Hardin. His early playing was noted for improvisation, and his reputation as trumpeter and as vocalist was quickly established. Armstrong was a major influence on the melodic development of jazz in the 1920s; because of him solo performance attained a position of great importance in jazz. He organized several large bands, and beginning in 1932 made numerous foreign tours. Armstrong appeared in Broadway shows, at countless jazz festivals, and in several American and foreign films. His archives are housed at Queens College, which also maintains the Louis Armstrong House.

Bibliography: See his memoir, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans (1954, repr. 1986); his selected writings ed. by T. Brothers (1999); biographies by G. Giddens (1988) and L. Bergreen (1997); study by J. L. Collier (2 vol., 1983-86); J. Berrett, Louis Armstrong Companion (1999).

Armstrong, Louis (‘ Satchmo’) (b New Orleans, 1901; d NY, 1971). Amer. jazz trumpeter and singer. From 1917 played on Miss. river boats. Joined King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band 1922. Played often with Fletcher Henderson's orch. 1924–5, then formed own band. Became world-famous as result of recordings in 1920s in which his virtuoso trumpet-playing and his idiosyncratic singing had enormous influence on jazz scene. Nickname ‘Satchmo’ a diminutive of ‘Satchelmouth’. Visited Eng. and Eur. 1932 and 1934. Made many films and appeared with big bands in ‘swing’ era. Formed his All Stars 1947. Appeared with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in film High Society (1956).

Armstrong, (Daniel) Louis (1900–71) US jazz trumpeter, singer and bandleader, nicknamed ‘Satchmo’. Armstrong was one of the most distinctive sounds in 20th-century music. He learned to play in New Orleans, and in 1922 joined the King Oliver band. The Hot Fives and Hot Sevens recordings (1925–29) are some of the most influential in the history of jazz. In the 1930s he became a successful bandleader, his deep, bluesy voice featured on tunes like “Mack the Knife”. He also appeared in films such as Pennies from Heaven (1936), New Orleans (1947), and High Society (1956).