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Louis Armstrong

Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several eras in the history of jazz. He received numerous accolades including the Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance for Hello, Dolly! in 1965, as well as a posthumous win for the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1972, and induction into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2017.

Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. Around 1922, he followed his mentor, Joe "King" Oliver, to Chicago to play in the Creole Jazz Band. He earned a reputation at "cutting contests", and his fame reached band leader Fletcher Henderson. He moved to New York City, where he became a featured and musically influential band soloist and recording artist. By the 1950s, he was a national musical icon, assisted in part, by his appearances on radio and in film and television, in addition to his concerts.

His best known songs include "What a Wonderful World", "La Vie en Rose", "Hello, Dolly!", "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "When You're Smiling" and "When the Saints Go Marching In". He collaborated with Ella Fitzgerald producing three records together Ella and Louis (1956), Ella and Louis Again (1957), and Porgy and Bess (1959). He also appeared in films such as A Rhapsody in Black and Blue (1932), Cabin in the Sky (1943), High Society (1956), Paris Blues (1961), A Man Called Adam (1966), and Hello, Dolly! (1969).

With his instantly recognizable rich, gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer and skillful improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song. He was also skilled at scat singing. By the end of Armstrong's life, his influence had spread to popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first popular African-American entertainers to "cross over" to wide popularity with white (and international) audiences. He rarely publicly discussed racial issues, to the dismay of fellow African Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation in the Little Rock crisis. He was able to access the upper echelons of American society at a time when this was difficult for black men.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 4, 1901 (New Orleans), Died July 6, 1971 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1969

Roles Represented in DAHR: trumpet, vocalist, leader, cornet, composer, songwriter, speaker, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 351-375 of 780 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Gennett 11389 10-in. 4/6/1923 Sugar foot stomp King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11390 10-in. 4/6/1923 Froggie Moore King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11391 10-in. 4/6/1923 Snake rag King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11632 10-in. 10/5/1923 When you leave me alone to pine King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11633 10-in. 10/5/1923 Alligator hop King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11634 10-in. 10/5/1923 That sweet something dear King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11635 10-in. 10/5/1923 Zulu's Ball King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11636 10-in. 10/5/1923 Working man blues King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11637 10-in. 10/5/1923 Someday, sweetheart King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11638 10-in. 10/5/1923 Krooked blues King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Gennett 11639 10-in. 10/5/1923 If you want my heart (You got to 'low it, babe) King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60021 10-in. 10/3/1935 I'm in the mood for love Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60022 10-in. 10/3/1935 You're my lucky star Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60023 10-in. 10/3/1935 La cucaracha Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60024 10-in. 10/3/1935 Got a brand new suit Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60155 10-in. 11/21/1935 I've got my fingers crossed Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60156 10-in. 11/21/1935 Old man Mose (is dead)-1 Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60157 10-in. 11/21/1935 I'm shooting high Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60158 10-in. 11/21/1935 (Was I to blame for) Falling in love with you Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60227 10-in. 12/13/1935 Red sails in the sunset Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60228 10-in. 12/13/1935 On Treasure Island Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60249 10-in. 12/19/1935 Thanks a million Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60250 10-in. 12/19/1935 Shoe Shine Boy Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60251 10-in. 12/19/1935 Solitude Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
Decca 60252 10-in. 12/19/1935 I hope Gabriel likes my music Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra vocalist, instrumentalist, trumpet  
(Results 351-375 of 780 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Armstrong, Louis," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101863.

Armstrong, Louis. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101863.

"Armstrong, Louis." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/101863

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