Louis Armstrong overcame adversity by triumphing over the racism and poverty in

which he was born and raised in by playing a key role in the development of one of
the most important types of music-jazz, and becoming one of the most well-known
jazz singers and trumpet players.

Introduction
Paraphrasing: Louis Armstrong overcame adversity by triumphing over the racism
and poverty in which he was born and raised in by playing a key role in the
development of one of the most important styles of music-jazz.
Comment: Armstrong was raised in a racist and poverty filled city so poor it was
called "The Battlefield". Armstrong had a tough childhood. Just after he was born
Armstrong's father left him and his mother, soon after his mother basically
abandoned him to take care of Armstrong's grandmother. Armstrongs mother did
not care for him well; she often turned to prostitution and left him under the care of
his grandmother. Although Armstrong didn't let his poor childhood stop him from
achieving his dreams. He went on to help found jazz and become a great and very
well-known trumpet/cornet player and singer.
Early Life #1
Quotes: "Born and raised in the slums of New Orleans, abandoned by his father and
neglected by his mother, sent to a youth home at the age of thirteen--the grim facts
of Louis Armstrong's childhood do not suggest the kind of background conducive to
happiness and success in later life."
Paraphrasing:
Born: August 04, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana
His father (Willie) was a factory worker and abandoned Armstrong when he was just
an infant
His mother basically abandoned him to take care of his grandmother
Until he was seven he lived in a squalid shack in an area of New Orleans known as
the Battlefield
Later he lived with his mother and younger sister in a sleazy neighborhood of New
Orleans where the sound of music filled the air day and night mesmerizing
Armstrong
On New Year's Eve of 1913 Armstrong took a pistol loaded with blanks outside to
celebrate and was arrested for firing it at another boy

Armstrong was sentenced to a term in the Colored Waifs' Home, a military school
run by an African-American man who took in youngsters headed for trouble
Armstrong enjoyed the regular meals and clean clothes he got at the school; he also
enjoyed the fact that the school had its own band
Armstrong started out on tambourine, but eventually moved up to lead cornet. He
received musical instruction and fell in love with music
Comment: Louis Armstrong had a tough filled with poverty and neglect from both
his father who abandoned him after he was born and his mother who didn't care for
him very well. Despite Louis Armstrong's childhood he managed to find happiness
and great success.
Source: ""Louis Armstrong" Contemporary Heroes and Heroines." Vol. 2 (1992): n.
pag. Gale Biography in Context. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
Early Life #2
Quotes: "In 1914, the home released him, and he immediately began dreaming of a
life making music. While he still had to work odd jobs selling newspapers and
hauling coal to the city's famed red-light district, Armstrong began earning a
reputation as a fine blues player. One of the greatest cornet players in town, Joe
"King" Oliver, began acting as a mentor to the young Armstrong, showing him
pointers on the horn and occasionally using him as a sub."
Paraphrasing:
After Armstrong graduated from the Colored Waifs' Home he was determined to
become a professional musician
He worked various jobs during the day and wandered around New Orleans listening
to bands at night
Armstrong started to earn a reputation as a fine blues player
Joe "King" Oliver, one of the best players in town, mentored Armstrong showing him
pointers and sometimes using him as a sub
Over the next seven years he played with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band
Armstrong's fellow musicians urged him to form his own band, which he did in 1925,
and for the next four years
To make himself even more of a featured performer, he began adding some
singing, dancing, and comedy routines to his sets
Comment: Armstrong learned from his experiences, and set goals that he wanted to
accomplish. He started to turn his life around and try to build a better life than the

one he was brought up in. He had a dream and he would do anything to make it
come true. Armstrong formed his own band although jazz is usually performed in an
ensemble, but Armstrong was so skilled that he and his trumpet could not help but
stand out.
Source: ""Louis Armstrong" Contemporary Heroes and Heroines." Vol. 2 (1992): n.
pag. Gale Biography in Context. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
Early Life #3
Quotes: "He was soon able to stop working manual labor jobs and began
concentrating full-time on his cornet, playing parties, dances, funeral marches and
at local "honky-tonks"a name for small bars that typically host musical acts.
Beginning in 1919, Armstrong spent his summers playing on riverboats with a band
led by Fate Marable. It was on the riverboat that Armstrong honed his music reading
skills and eventually had his first encounters with other jazz legends, including Bix
Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden."
Paraphrasing:
After King Oliver moved away he was hired to work on riverboats that traveled the
Mississippi which enabled him to play with many great jazz musicians and further
develop his skills by learning to read music and take on the responsibilities of a
professional gig
Armstrong teamed up with some fellow New Orleans musicians to make a series of
records under the name that were a tremendous hit
In 1918 Armstrong married Daisy Parker a prostitute and adopted a three-year old
boy named Clarence. The boy's mother was Armstrong's cousin who died in
childbirth. Clarence was become mentally disabled from a head injury he had
suffered at an early age. Clarence was taken care of by Armstrong his entire life.
In 1918, he replaced Oliver in Kid Ory's band, the most popular band in New Orleans
From 1925 to 1928 he continued a rigorous schedule of performing and recording,
which included Heebie Jeebies, the tune that introduced scat singing to a wide
audience and West End Blues, one of the most famous recordings in early jazz.
Comment: Armstrong was able to move past his poor and poverty filled childhood,
and get jobs doing manual labor, and other things. Although these type of things
were not Armstrong's true passion, and he was able to realize that and work very
hard to get jobs performing and doing what he really loved. Armstrong was able to
get himself into situations and opportunities where he could improve and develop
his skills despite having a poor childhood and no mother or father that cared
enough to help him try to achieve his goals. Armstrong even adopted his own child
in his late teen years that had a disability and cared for him his entire life.

Adversity #1
Quotes: "However, Armstrong's southern background didn't mesh well with the
more urban, Northern mentality of Henderson's other musicians, who sometimes
gave Armstrong a hard time over his wardrobe and the way he talked. Henderson
also forbade Armstrong from singing, fearing that his rough way of vocalizing would
be too coarse for the sophisticated audiences at the Roseland Ballroom."
Paraphrasing:
In 1924 dated and married Lillian Hardin
Hardin felt King Oliver was holding Armstrong back so he cut ties with his mentor
and joined Fletcher Henderson's Orchestra, the top African-American dance band in
New York City at the time
He introduced the concept of swing music to the band, and made his presence felt
with a series of solos
Armstrong transformed Henderson's band into what is generally regarded as the
first jazz big band
Comment: Armstrong's background didn't mesh well with the other musicians in his
band so they gave Armstrong a hard time about what he wore and the way he
talked. Henderson forbid Armstrong from singing because he thought his rough way
of vocalizing would be too coarse for their sophisticated audiences. Although
Armstrong didn't let this stop him from doing what he loved, he stood up for himself
and decided not to put up with their racist comments and behaviors. So Armstrong
left Henderson in 1925 and returned to Chicago to play with his wife (Lil) in her band
at the Dreamland Cafe. Armstrong pushed past what others thought of him and
didn't let them hold him back from doing what he wanted to do.
Source: "Louis Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Feb.
2015.
Adversity #2
Quotes: "They were a tremendous hit, at first only with urban African Americans, but
soon white musicians were impressed by the young trumpet player's expertise and
creativity. His fame quickly spread throughout the country among serious admirers
of jazz, and by the end of the 1920s, Armstrong was regarded as the foremost living
jazz musician."
Paraphrasing:
During the time period of Armstrong's "Hot Five" recordings his playing steadily
improved, and his traveling and recording activities introduced his music to more
and more people

Also during this time period Armstrong would perform nightly with Erskine Tate's
Orchestra at the Vendome Theater. While he was performing with Tate in 1926
Armstrong finally switched from the cornet to the trumpet
In the summer of 1929 Armstrong returned to New York City and made his first
Broadway appearance in a production of Ain't Misbehavin' that introduced the use
of a pop song as material for jazz interpretation
Later Armstrong started to record popular songs of the day. His daring vocal
transformations of these songs completely changed the concept of popular singing
in American popular music, and also had lasting effects on all the singers that came
after him
Comment: Armstrong made a series of records with some fellow New Orleans
musicians under the name of the "Hot Five" and the "Hot Seven". Armstrong's
recording were a huge hit among African Americans, but soon became a hit among
white musicians. Armstrong was such a good player and expressed such expertise
and creativity that white musicians were able to move past the fact that he was
African American and enjoy his music. Armstrong just kept getting more famous, he
was able to move past his childhood and make most both black and white people
look past his skin color and respect and enjoy his music. By the end of the 1920s
Armstrong became so popular he was regarded as the foremost living jazz musician.
Source: ""Louis Armstrong" Contemporary Heroes and Heroines." Vol. 2 (1992): n.
pag. Gale Biography in Context. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
Adversity #3
Quotes: "While he was beloved by musicians, he was too wild for most critics, who
gave him some of the most racist and harsh reviews of his career. Armstrong didn't
let the criticism stop him, however, and he returned an even bigger star when he
began a longer tour throughout Europe in 1933."
Paraphrasing:
In 1932 Armstrong began appearing in movies and made his first tour of England.
Armstrong was loved by musicians but he was too wild for most critics who gave
him some very racist and harsh reviews
Armstrong began another tour of Europe but had a major setback along the way
that made his career fall apart. Armstrong's years of blowing high notes had taken a
toll on his lips and after a fight with his manager, who had previously gotten
Armstrong into trouble with the American mob, he was left stranded overseas
Armstrong decided to stay in Europe and take some time off resting his lip in 1934

Arnstrong returned to Chicago in 1935with no band, no engagements, and no

recordings. His lips were also still sore and he was being sued by his ex-wife Lillian
Hardin who he separated from in 1931
Armstrong turned to Joe Galser, put his career in his hands, and asked him to make
his troubles disappear. Glaser did exactly that, just a few months Armstrong had a
new big band and was recording for Decca Records
Comment: Armstrong was very popular and loved among musicians. Although he
was too wild for most critics, and they gave him some of the most racist and harsh
reviews of his career. Armstrong didn't let them stop him, he didn't let them affect
his dreams or set off his course. Armstrong began an even longer tour throughout
Europe in 1933 and returned an even bigger star.
Source: "Louis Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Feb.
2015.
Contribution #1
Quotes: "During this period, Armstrong set a number of African-American "firsts." In
1936, he became the first African-American jazz musician to write an
autobiography: Swing That Music. That same year, he became the first AfricanAmerican to get featured billing in a major Hollywood movie with his turn in Pennies
from Heaven, starring Bing Crosby. Additionally, he became the first AfricanAmerican entertainer to host a nationally sponsored radio show in 1937, when he
took over Rudy Vallee's Fleischmann's Yeast Show for 12 weeks."
Paraphrasing:
In the mid-1930s Armstrong set a number of "African -American Firsts".
Jazz purists criticized him for "going commercial"
Armstrong continued to be in major films, and during the "swing era" he made some
of the finest recordings of his career
In 1938 Armstrong divorced Lil Hardin and married Alpha Smith.
In 1942 Armstrong divorced Alpha Smith and married Lucille Wilson, his last wife
with whom he'd spend the rest of his life with
They purchased a house at 34-56 107th street in Corona, Queens, New York where
they would live for the rest of their lives
Comment: Armstrong contributed a bunch of "African-American Firsts". He was the
first African-American jazz musician to write an autobiography in 1936. Armstrong
also became the first African-American to be featured billing in a major Hollywood
movie, and the first African-American entertainer to host a nationally sponsored

radio show. Armstrong did things that other African-Americans wouldn't. He didn't
let the color of his skin stop him from doing what he wanted to do.
Source: "Louis Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Feb.
2015.
Contribution #2
Quotes: "These views changed in 1957, when Armstrong saw the Little Rock Central
High School integration crisis on television..... When Armstrong saw thisas well as
white protesters hurling invective at the studentshe blew his top to the press,
telling a reporter that President Dwight D. Eisenhower had "no guts" for letting
Faubus run the country, and stating, "The way they are treating my people in the
South, the government can go to hell." Armstrong's words made front-page news
around the world. Though he had finally spoken out after years of remaining publicly
silent, he received criticism at the time from both black and white public figures.
Not a single jazz musician who had previously criticized him took his sidetoday,
this is seen as one of the bravest, most definitive moments of Armstrong's life."
Paraphrasing:
Armstrong beacme known as "Ambassador Satch" in the mid-50s when his
popularity skyrocketed
Armstron begam losing his stand with modern jazz fans and young AfricanAmericans who saw him as old-fashioned and criticized him. He was regarded as an
out of date performer.
In the late 50's Armstrong had a heart attack, although he didn't let it stop him. In
the 1960s Armstrong was performing 300 nights a year.
Comment: As the years of Armstrong's of Armstrong being regarded as a an out of
date performer passed the struggle for civil rights was growing, with protests,
marched, and speeches from African Americans wanting equal rights. When
Armstrong saw the Little Rock Central High School integration crisis he "blew his top
to the press" and told a reporter that President D. Eisenhower had "no guts" and the
"government can go to hell". Armstrong's words spread around the world and he
received criticism from both black and white public figures. Armstrong spoke up for
his people and this is known today as "one of the bravest, most definitive moments
of Armstrong's life."
Source: "Louis Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Feb.
2015.
Contribution #3

Quotes: "He had an exciting and innovative style of playing that musicians imitate
to this day. Throughout his career, Armstrong spread the language of jazz around
the world, serving as an international ambassador of swing. His profound impact on
the music of the 20th century continues into the 21st century."
Paraphrasing:
In 1967Armstrong recorded his ballad "What a Wonderful world" which became a
number one hit around the world, and also became Armstrong's most-lasting song.
In 1968 "Armstrong's grueling lifestyle had finally caught up with him", his heart
and kidney problems forced him to stop performing and stay at home for much of
1969.
In summer of 1970 Armstrong could perform again, although a while later he had a
heart attack while caused him to return home in May 1971.
Armstrong resumed playing and promised to perform again although he never got
the chance because he died in his sleep on July 6th, 1971 at his home in Queens,
New York.
Comment: Armstrong has such an interesting, exciting, and amazing way of playing
and performing music that musicians to this day still imitate his style of music.
Because of Armstrong jazz was spread throughout the world and people can now
play and enjoy jazz. Armstrong had a huge impact on music throughout time that it
is still being imitated to this day.
Source: "Louis Armstrong." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.
Legacy
Quotes: Arguably the most important figure in 20th century music, Armstrong's
innovations as a trumpeter and vocalist are widely recognized today, and will
continue to be for decades to come.
Comment: Since his death Armstrong's stature has continued to grow, in the 1980s
and 1990s younger jazz musicians began to speak about Armstrong's importance.
Also a new series of biographies about Armstrong were written that made his role as
a civil rights pioneer very clear. Armstrong's home in Queens was declared a
National Historic Landmark and is now the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
Armstrong made many improvements with music and civil rights throughout history
and the differences he made have lasted and will continue to last into the future.
Source: "Louis Armstrong." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 11 Feb.
2015.