What Are Louis Armstrong's Major Accomplishments

Introduction

New Orleans Jazz is a genre of music during the 20th century that was in relation to the African American population.

Two distinguished musicians, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie, rose to fame with their musical talents in the jazz community.

(Thesis) These two musicians from below the Mason Dixon line would acquire their popularity by performing nationwide, but their childhood, musical careers, and legacies would be totally different.

2. Louis Armstrong Childhood

Daniel Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early 20th century.

Being born into poverty, his upbringing was extremely rough, and not having parental guidance would attribute to his troubled childhood.

Armstrong’s father abandoned his mother

Dizzy Gillespie Childhood

John Birks Gillespie was born in to a middle-class family of ten in Cheraw, South Carolina.

Gillespie was introduced to music at a very young age, and he would often entertain himself by playing the piano and trumpet.

John’s father was apart of a band and would often teach Gillespie about music.

His interest in music would carry on into his adulthood, and Gillespie would soon realize that he wanted to have a career in the musical industry.

Upon completing high school, John was accepted to Laurinburg Technical Institute in North Carolina, where he received a scholarship to further his education in music.

4. Louis Armstrong Musical Beginnings

Louis Armstrong learned to play several musical instruments, but he was especially skilled at playing the cornet.

He often performed at local clubs, neighborhood playgrounds, and in the streets of New Orleans.

His talents wouldn't go unrecognized by neighbors, and not to long after, Armstrong would be noticed by famous cornetist Joe Oliver.

In 1918, Armstrong would play in a famous band led by Kid Ory. He would also go on to marry a

Dizzy Gillespie Musical Beginnings

In 1935, Dizzy left school to relocate to Philadelphia with his family.

In Philadelphia, Gillespie would be introduced to bandleader Frank Fairfax and his group.

Within Fairfax’s band was trumpeter Palmer Davis. Davis is credited for giving Gillespie the name “Dizzy” because he would always act silly and have childlike actions onstage. “Man, this is a dizzy cat,” Davis said.

Gillespie started out playing Bebop, a type of jazz that had a deeper rhythm and was often hard to play.

6. Armstrong/ Gillespie Music Style

Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie would be completely different as far as music.

Louis Armstrong style would be similar to New Orleans swing or vibrato. He swings musical notes while on beat, and can pause and stop in a skilled manner.

Gillespie is known for his Afro-Cuban jazz style that he created. Afro-Cuban is music that is from musicians that originate from African and Cuba.

7. Armstrong Music

Armstrong recorded “His Hot Five”, which consisted of four categories.

The first category was the New Orleans style of music.

The second category was a quintet. He used the tuba and drums and this was labeled under “His Hot Seven”.

“Struttin’ with some Barbecue” was the third