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Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans. At the age of 12 he was sent to a home for boys and there first learned to play the cornet. He practiced and had many opportunities to play with some of the big names of the times, such as Bix Beiderbecke, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe "King" Oliver, even making a big name for himself. His influence in jazz can be felt even today though he died of a heart attack in 1971.
For more information about this jazz great, here are some websites I have found very useful:
-This site is the home of the Louis Armstrong House and Archives, an organization with the intent to "preserve and promote the cultural legacy" of Louis Armstrong by making any information they have available to anyone. The information provided concerns Louis Armstrong's life and his accomplishments, including recordings. It is possible to become a member of this organization for a small fee, but it is possible to use the resources and information for free.
-Here is a site that offers more biographical information about Louis Armstrong. It lists many of his influences and groups that he has worked with. RedHotJazz.com, a history of jazz before 1930, manages this site. The purpose of the site is to provide anyone with information and resources about Armstrong and his career.
-This is the Louis Armstrong Tribute page, produced and managed by a member of 'A Touch of Brass' quartet based in Texas. It's purpose is to provide information and resources. It is simply an informational site, with links to the band's homepage and Louis Armstrong resources. I found it very easy to find information on this site.
-'Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy' is a great site for information about Louis Armstrong's personal life and career. It gives a complete history of this life, including many details not included on many other sites. This site is maintained and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency, and by the New York State Council on the Arts.
-This site was the most comprehensive and complete I was able to find. It contained numerous amounts of information, including an extensive biography, discography, and information about the trumpet itself. The site is maintained by a non-profit organization, The Louis Armstrong Odyssey whose only purpose is to educate the public about Louis Armstrong and his achievements. The organization does request that credit be given when using information from the site. |
