Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was a famous jazz trumpet player. He was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and died on July 6, 1971. His nickname was Satchmo. In 1922, he went to Chicago to play in the Creole Jazz band. Eventually, he went to New York where he became a band soloist and recording artist. He returned to Chicago and formed his own bands.

He had a very distinct voice and you can recognize it when he sang. He was very good at scat singing.

He appeared in several films and I remember watching him in Hello, Dolly with Barbara Streisand.

Class Activities:

• Who are other famous trumpet players? Tell a little about this person.
• Listen to songs by Louis Armstrong. What did you like about them? What didn’t you like?
• Watch a movie with Louis Armstrong in it.
• If you could play any musical instrument, what would it be and why?