Early Modern
November 1, 2009
I was intrigued by Louis Armstrong and the way he played his trumpet and sang with such passion. Louis Armstrong was an amazing man and helped bring jazz and the vocal technique “Scat” to the music industry. Armstrong came from very little, born in New Orleans where is father left and his mother was in an out of his life. Armstrong was very optimistic, even coming from a hard life, and used music to show his emotion. My favorite song by Louis Armstrong is What a Wonderful World released in 1968. The piano, horns and vocals are soothing and the words of the song are great. This has of course an African-American influence, first being sung by Louis Armstrong and second because of the jazzy rhythm. This was a great time in music history with new genres emerging.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc
References on Louis Armstrong:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Wonderful_World
November 2, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Okay! Now, I am jealous! I totally spaced that my favorite musicians were from this era. Dang it! I will agree with you. Louis Armstrong was an amazing musician. I have played trumpet for years now, and I can still can’t get over how talented he is. He can transition from smooth jazz to upbeat blaring music. I have used his solo’s as a way for me to improvise. I love jazz, and he has helped me to grow as a player. You did a wonderful job in your blog, and clearly tied everything you needed into for the assignment. His voice is low and scruffy, but sounds amazing when he sings. This is truly an era of true music. Have you ever listened to Mack the Knife? Here is a link, this is my favorite song?! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLIrS5dtTZI&feature=related
November 7, 2009 at 1:58 am
I have never really been a fan of Jazz music, but after listening to this I find it very similar to other music I do enjoy. I already respected Armstrong simply for his amazing instrumental skill, but after listening to him sing I’m reminded of older folk and blues musicians, especially Leadbelly. Around the same time and a little before Chuck Berry seemed to be singing in much the same way, but was starting rock. For those musicians there was personality, and I think that made a huge difference in the performance. An outgoing performer, coupled with amazing skill can create amazing music. Jazz isn’t my favorite, but seeing how it relates to other genres in so many ways such an influential Jazz musician would obviously be influential across the board.
November 8, 2009 at 1:52 am
I have to agree that “What a Wonderful World” is one of many jazz classics for Louis Armstrong. I just find it extremely ironic at its title because of the hard life he lived as a younger individual. His father abandoned the family, he was forced into reform school, and he was married four times in his life. However, he has an amazing ability to improvise his music. His work with the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens is very moving. I enjoy jazz a lot, and just as Steven said, jazz led to a lot of the blues and rock music we have today. I suppose Armstrong became such a popular musician that we do sometimes forget to talk about him.