By: Billy Gee
Jeepers creepers! It’s time for Music Class once again, and I can tell by the eager look on your faces that you’re ready to get the ball a-rolling. So without further ado, let’s hear that trumpet fanfare (Ta, ta-ta ta-a-a-a!) heralding our discussion of the man who, by all accounts, was the very embodiment of jazz itself during the first half-century of its existence: Louis Armstrong. His contributions to the one and only truly all-American art form cannot be overstated. Not only did he gain worldwide recognition as a consummate jazz trumpeter, he also became known as somewhat of an international ambassador of goodwill.
Unsure of his exact birth date, Armstrong patriotically chose The Fourth of July, - America’s “birthday” - as his own, but when biographer Gary Giddins journeyed to Louis’ native New Orleans, he found the actual date to be August 4, 1901.
His father, Willie Armstrong, and his mother, Mary Albert (known by most as “Mayann”) were never married. Although in many ways she was warm and loving, Mayann would irresponsibly leave Louis and his younger sister with strangers for days at a time. The youthful, fatherless Armstrong was so impoverished that he often wore ragged clothes and, at times, resorted to scavenging for food in garbage cans.
In 1908, a family of Russian Jewish immigrants, the Karnofskys, employed a seven-year-old Louis to deliver coal to the prostitutes in Storyville. Mrs. Karnofsky insisted that Armstrong be fed a hot meal each evening before returning home. One day, when “Little Louis” spotted a cornet in the window of a pawnshop that he simply had to have, the Karnofskys advanced him the five dollars he needed to buy it. Armstrong never forgot their various kindnesses, and as an expression of his gratitude, he wore a Star of David around his neck for the rest of his life.
At age eleven, Louis dropped out of school. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested. According to one source, his crime was firing his grandfather’s 38-caliber revolver into the air on New Year’s Eve, although another indicates the arrest was made for “general delinquency.” In any case, because of “mischief,” let us say, young Louis Armstrong found himself placed in the Colored Waifs Home, where he had the opportunity to play cornet in the marching band. Upon his release two years later, Louis set out to become a professional musician.
Oops, there’s the bell, kids. Guess we’ll finish our discussion next time. Let’s see… homework… hmmmm. Oh! I see August 27 is “Just Because Day.” Well, your assignment is to send someone a nice card… just because! Class dismissed.
Click here to learn more about Louis Armstrong at the part 2 of this article