During the 1920s a major Jazz movement had begun in the United States. Many notable Jazz musicians and bands came out of cities like New Orleans, Chicago, and out of Harlem in New York City. Many of these artists were African American and had a major influence on the changing American culture. Among these great artists was none other than Louis Armstrong who was a famous trumpet player and singer in the Jazz world.
Louis Armstrong was "born in one of the poorest sections of New Orleans on August 4th, 1901." At the age of 7 Louis bought his first instrument, a cornet and from then on his music career burst on to the scenes in New Orleans. In 1922 Armstrong moved to Chicago and began playing in "King" Oliver's Creole Jazz band at the Lincoln Gardens Cafe "which catered to a prospering and growing African-American population." As Armstrong's music became more widely known for his use of "scat" and musical talent which in turn played towards the ever changing American culture.
Following World War I American entered a time in history known as the Roaring 20s. During this period many young Americans began to step away from their more conservative elderly and began changing the face of American Culture. Most notably was the Jazz movement in which Louis Armstrong had a major role. Young white Americans began to take notice of the cool new music coming out of places like Harlem as a result of the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz clubs burst onto the scene as well as a result of prohibition and thus, gave an outlet for African American music to flourish during the period. In these Jazz clubs white youth began to experience African American music which opened the door for a Civil Rights movement. During this movement Louis Armstrong became a popular figure that couldn't be replaced.
Bibliography
Jazz:, The People of Traditional New Orleans. "Louis Armstrong." National Parks Service. National Parks Service, 30 Oct. 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/jazz/historyculture/people_armstrong.htm>.
"Louis Armstrong:A Cultural Legacy." Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/armstrong/index.htm>.
By: Morgan Knowles
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