Louis Armstrong

Jazz legend Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, was born into poverty in 1901 in New Orleans. He had a rough childhood and was sent to "James Home for Colored Waifs," an institution dedicated to reforming troublesome youth, after he fired a pistol into the air on New Years Eve; he was only 11 years old. While there, Armstrong started playing the cornet in the home's brass band. After about 18 months, Armstrong was released, and he started playing at clubs with his mentor Joe "King" Oliver, one of the first jazz musicians. After traveling to Chicago and New York City, Armstrong returned to Chicago in 1936. He was well known for his records and was often heard on the radio. According to Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy, Armstrong wowed audiences with the impressive range and style of his solos. In addition, he invented "scat" style singing, which changed the way vocalists thought. Musicians listened to his recordings to hear what a horn was capable of and some said that he used his instrument like a singer's voice and his voice like a musical instrument.

In 1929, Armstrong went back to New York City, where he made his first nationwide hit recording. During WWII and the beginning of the Cold War, Armstrong served as "Ambassador Satch," spreading good will to Americans around the globe, including on tours for the State Department. One of his most notable concerts was in 1956 to celebrate Ghana's independence; more than 100,000 fans attended.

Armstrong was not outspoken on civil rights, which is something for which some people criticized him. However, when he condemned President Truman over the school desegregation efforts in Little Rock, Arkansas, he was called a "firebrand."

He died in 1971, making front-page news worldwide. Armstrong was later named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of the century, and many consider him to be the greatest jazz musician who ever lived.

Information has been compiled from Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy and The Time 100: Louis Armstrong.