Known for his brilliant improvisation techniques both onstage and during recordings, Louis Armstrong became one of the Jazz movement's most important musicians. As his trumpet would cease, his voice would shine. Able to perform and improvise with his voice as much as with his trumpet, he laid the foundation for a long-lasting, ideal and charismatic career.

Born into the poverty of southern Louisiana, young Louis listened to music whenever he had the chance. The first instrument he learned to play was the brass cornet, which he obtained thanks to a small loan from another family. He even played in a few southern get-togethers and was astonished by the playing of Joe King Oliver, who was Armstrong's early inspiration.

By his latter teenage years, Louis Armstrong moved to Chicago to play with Oliver - where Jazz was hot and the hottest band was Oliver's. In these early and influential years, he was even a part of the band's recordings, where one can easily hear Armstrong's back-up cornet and snippets where Louis would be given a solo.

As the Chicago experience came and went, Armstrong saw greater opportunity in New York, where he would play the trumpet with the biggest Jazz band of the day, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. After his success in New York, Armstrong headed back to his beloved Chicago where he began recording his own songs - an eclectic mix of Jazz music. His first hits were Potato Head Blues, West End Blues and later in his career, he released Hello, Dolly, which topped the British charts followed by the charts in the U.S.

In 1929, Armstrong toured Europe and had profound success. When he came back to the United States, he relentlessly toured for the next three decades. He released such hits as What a Wonderful World, Stardust, and the catchy Dream a Little Dream of Me. His gregarious attitude and wide grin aided him during his onstage performances. People of all backgrounds loved his music. And, while no official autobiography was ever released, the development of his vocal recordings only caused his success to mushroom beyond his creative brass talents where everyone would recognize his distinct sound.

Select a Category American Standards Barbershop Blues Contemporary Classical Choral Christian Country Doo-Wop Early Music Gospel Instructional Musicals Vocal Jazz Vintage Harmony World Opera Specialty Collections Disney Kids Patriotic Spirituals Christmas Singer Warm Ups A Cappella Recordings Vocal Harmony Groups The Artists The Songs Group Videos DVDs Chorus Directory

---

Hear about Local A Cappella Events and Auditions

Enter your email address and zip code to be informed about local a cappella performances.

Email Address: ZIP code (5 digit):

---

---

Specialty Arrangements

Please select a specialty arrangements Americana Animal Songs Barbershop Beatles Black Voices Blues Christian Christmas Choral Contemporary Country Music Countries Cowboy Songs Disco! Disney Earth Songs Easter Farewell Songs Food Songs Freedom Songs Friendship Songs Girl Groups Girl Power! Glee Gospel Graduation Halloweens Hanukkah James Bond Lullabies Madrigals Manly Songs! Medleys Motown Musicals Native American Novelty Partner Songs Personality Pitch Perfect Patriotic Samba Sea Shanties Seasons Sheet Music Series Soldier Songs Songs of Shakespeare Songs of Sleep Songs about Singing Songs About States Songs in Spanish Standards Spirituals Train Songs TV & Movie Vocal Jazz Vocal Percussion World Wordless Lists of Songs Sing-Along Part-Predominant CDs

---