We Love Louis
One of the most distinctive voices and faces in jazz, Louis Armstrong is renowned for the warmth of his music and his persona. But behind the beaming smile lies a tough background and an incredibly hardworking life.
1 He learnt the cornet at 11
He learnt the cornet, the instrument for which he became world famous, at the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys, aged 11, after being arrested on New Year’s Eve for firing blanks from his stepfather’s gun in the air.
2 He boycotted performances in his hometown
He boycotted performances in his hometown of New Orleans for nine years after the city banned integrated bands in 1956.
3 His nicknames included "Satchmo" and "Pops"
His nicknames over his five decade musical career included "Satchmo," which was short for ‘Satchel Mouth’, "Pops" and, later, "Ambassador Satch” because of his constant touring.
4 His interest in music began with a local Jewish family
His interest in music began with a local Jewish family, the Karnofsky’s, who encouraged him to sing and gave him a job collecting junk and delivering coal after he’d had to leave school in the fifth grade in order to earn money.
5 Armstrong described Eisenhower publically as “two faced” and having “no guts”
When black pupils were prevented from registering at a school in Arkansas by the National Guard, Armstrong described Eisenhower publically as “two faced” and having “no guts”. He cancelled a goodwill tour of the Soviet Union saying “The way they are treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell.”
6 He had to take the whole of 1934 off work to rest his mouth
7 Louis' luxury item
Louis chose a trumpet as his luxury item when he appeared on Desert Island Discs. Hear a recently discovered recording of his appearance on the show.
8 His recordings knocked The Beatles off the Billboard chart
His recording of ‘Hello, Dolly!’ knocked ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ by The Beatles off the no.1 spot on the Billboard chart.
9 Despite his huge fame, he lived in a working class neighbourhood
Despite his huge fame, he lived in a working class neighbourhood in Corona, Queens, NY, and died there in 1971. He preferred not to associate with “society people” but entertained local children on his porch, playing to them and buying them ice cream, but only if they assured him they’d finished all their homework.
10 Lots of his songs referenced food
Lots of his songs referenced food. He loved eating, he adored red beans and rice and often signed his letters "Red Beans & Ricely Yours!"
11 Duke Ellington called him ‘Mr Jazz’
Duke Ellington called him ‘Mr Jazz’. And when Duke Ellington’s calling the man that, he’s worth listening to.
