The era of 1920s represented vast developments in the music business. The phonograph record developed into the principal method of publicizing music, surpassing sales of sheet music. The music industry, ever powerful to learn new customs of making earnings, realized that record, sheet music and piano roll sales could all be tied together. This led to the creation of the “song plugger” which was a person who made sure his company’s music would be performed by bands and singers in hope of one of the tracks cracking the status of a hit. This marked that start of independent music companies, who were the companies that ended up grabbing musicians that the larger companies ignored; they weren’t scared to take chances on the so-called rejects. (Tyle n.d) …show more content…
In 1922, Gennett Records, an independent company located in Richmond, Indiana, began recording jazz groups performing in Chicago. The first group they recorded was the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, followed in 1923 by King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band with young jazz player Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong is and will continue to be remembered for his contribution to the Jazz Age of music. By 1929 Armstrong was a big star, touring the U.S. and the continent with his bands. His singing style became as popular as his trumpet playing. It’s safe to say that Louis will go down in history as one of the greatest in Jazz to ever live. (Tyle