Louis Armstrong – Term Paper

Introduction

Louis Armstrong was an American singer, trumpeter, composer, and actor that was renowned in the jazz industry. He was born in 1901 in New Orleans and died at the age of 69 in New York. Armstrong was known for his improvisation in the jazz music whereby he had contributions to its changes in the soloist features. Consequently, he became a leader to other trumpeters that incorporated his stage characteristics and became his followers (Brothers 7). Notably, Armstrong introduced millions of fans to jazz music while youngsters embraced trumpeting to match the ever-increasing numbers.

Louis Armstrong Life

Major Reasons For The Choice Of This Icon

1. Personality and Lifestyle

Firstly, his personality and lifestyle had major contributions to his line of career. For instance, his personality thrilled the American society during his time by providing a black American male that had made it in the music industry. Louis had become a major icon by the 1930’s whereby he used his life story to set an example for black youngsters that were almost giving up due to the increased racial profiling during the era (Brothers 8). His personality portrayed a black man that was not ready to give up despite his past struggles; hence, setting an example for his fans. 

Louis’ younger lifestyle portrayed dark side whereby he used to work in coalmines as a source of income. As a result, motivation and self-confidence are key attributes that are displayed by Louis (Brothers 10). His father abandoned him while the mother often turned to prostitution to ensure a steady supply of income to the family. Precisely, Louis has a tough childhood that later changed after he discovered his talent in singing. His determination towards performing in popular bands led to encounters with jazz legends that enhanced his skills in jazz music.

Regarding personal habits, Louis was concerned with his health; hence, engaged in different campaigns such as the ‘Lose Weight The Satchmo Way.’ Compared to the present day lifestyles, this trumpeter would have led to healthier lifestyles for his fans and fellow trumpeters. Importantly, his attribute as a leader shows his influence towards his fans on keeping fit.

Louis; race also contributes to his choice. His personality led to his acceptance in white society neighborhoods where he lived until his death (Schuman 13). Notably, during his era the black community had major issues affecting their lifestyle; therefore, any icon that made it during his time had motivating factors. For instance, Louis became a popular black figure in the jazz industry through determination.

2. His Musical Content

Louis perfectly chose his song lyrics depending on the issue that he decided to explore. This rational decision-making process also led to his choice due to the socio-cultural impacts that he made through his songs (“Louis Armstrong, The Entertainer Who Epitomized Jazz”). Additionally, the musical content also led to his exploration into other aspects of the entertainment industry such as T.V, radio, films and advertisements. His growth in music meant that the content was readily accepted by the community, unlike other musicians.

3. ;Louis as a Role Model

His works, especially in the music industry, have had different fulfillments to his audience. He has been regarded as a role model; hence, the notion that he was liked and followed by many even after his death. Louis’ personality has also had present impacts where upcoming jazz artists and trumpeters follow his legacy with the hope of becoming legends in the music industry (“Louis Armstrong, The Entertainer Who Epitomized Jazz”).

Louis’ Impact On The Society During Both His Time And The Present Day

Society has different aspects that it presents to an artist in any entertainment industry, and Louis’ society offered him a harsh background. However, Louis had major contributions to the American society despite the geographical regions. During his era, he won several rewards that present day impacts on the society.

1. Entertainment

Jazz music was Armstrong;s career choice and consequently led to entertainment during his era and the present day. He used musical lyrics to address different social issues during his era. The jazz musicals were not only focused on the American society but others where he had visited during his performances. His cool music was known to entertain his fans despite the hardships that they had experienced. For instance, soldiers that had been involved in the first and second world wars preferred Louis; music to reduce trauma caused in the battlefields.

On the other hand, Armstrong’s music is also relevant in the modern society where it is played on various channels with the aim of entertaining the audience. Notably, jazz had its origins in the New Orleans society and had high acceptance levels in the U.S. As a result, jazz performers and trumpeters such as Armstrong had major contributions to the notion of jazz music as a genre of the music industry.

Louis, being one of the godfathers of jazz music, was known to enjoy other music genres. Consequently, he met with artists and created entertainment networks that led to a common entertainment approaches.

2. Financial Impact on Society

Louis became an example of ways that jazz music changed the society regarding financial stability. An overview of his past life showed an individual that was determined to escape from poverty using his talent. He set an example to the black societies that were suffering from poverty due to lack of sufficient jobs. His social impact involved increased awareness of talents and determination.

In addition, Louis had followers that wanted to learn to trumpet and get involved in the jazz music genre. These upcoming youngsters set an example to their societies that music would act as a source of income. In the long-run, he motivated youngsters with different perceptions about music from other genres in that they could also adopt music. In the present day, this financial impact has also been portrayed by artists with a poor background.

3. Impacts on Family Differences as Part of the Society 

Armstrong’s family portrayed the New Orleans society. There were high poverty levels that led his mother to turn into prostitution. In addition, there were high cases of violence and school dropouts due to the poverty levels. However, Louis did not give up but instead focused on helping his society after being prominent in his music business. Louis engaged in different charity practices that would be used in enhancing black societies. In his lyrics, he also encouraged these societies by reducing on family issues such as violence. As a result, he mostly targeted some of the poor societies in the U.S during his era.