Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose inspired, improvised soloing was the main influence for a fundamental change in jazz, shifting its focus from collective melodic playing, often arranged in one way or another, to the solo player and improvised soloing. One of the most famous jazz musicians of the 20th century, he was first known as a cornet player, then as a trumpet player, and toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and became one of the most influential jazz singers.
Early life
Armstrong often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day in the USA), a date that has been noted in many biographies. Although he died in 1971, it wasn't until the mid-1980s that his true birth date of August 4th, 1901 was discovered through the examination of baptismal records.[5] He was recorded as an illegitimate black child.
Armstrong was born into a very poor family in New Orleans, Louisiana, the grandson of slaves. He spent his youth in poverty in a rough neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, known as βBack of Townβ, as his father, William Armstrong (1881β1922), abandoned the family when Louis was an infant, and took up with another woman. His mother, Mary Albert Armstrong (1886β1942), then left Louis and his younger sister Beatrice Armstrong Collins (1903β1987) in the care of his grandmother, Josephine Armstrong and at times, his Uncle Isaac. At five, he moved back to live with his mother and her relatives, and saw his father only in parades. He attended the Fisk School for Boys where he likely had his first exposure to Creole music. He brought in a little money as a paperboy and also by finding discarded food and selling it to restaurants but it wasnβt enough to keep his mother from prostitution. He hung out in dance halls particularly the βFunky Buttβ which was the closest to his home, where he observed everything from licentious dancing to the quadrille. He hauled coal to Storyville, the famed red-light district, and listened to the bands playing in the brothels and dance halls, especially Pete Lalaβs where Joe "King" Oliver performed and other famous musicians would drop in to jam.
Armstrong grew up at the bottom of the social ladder, in a highly segregated city, but one which lived in a constant fervor of music, which was generally called βragtimeβ, and not yet βjazzβ. Despite the hard early days, Armstrong seldom looked back at his youth as the worst of times but instead drew inspiration from it, βEvery time I close my eyes blowing that trumpet of mineβI look right in the heart of good old New Orleans...It has given me something to live for.β
After dropping out of the Fisk School at eleven, Armstrong joined a quartet of boys in similar straits as he, and they sang in the streets for money. He also started to get into trouble. Cornet player Bunk Johnson said he taught Armstrong (then 11) to play by ear at Dago Tony's Tonk in New Orleans,[7] although in his later years Armstrong gave the credit to Oliver. His first cornet was bought with money loaned to him by the Karnofskys, a Russian-Jewish immigrant family who had a junk hauling business and gave him odd jobs. To express gratitude towards the Karnofskys, who took him in as almost a family member, and fed and nurtured him, Armstrong wore a Star of David pendant for the rest of his life.
Armstrong seriously developed his cornet playing in the band of the New Orleans Home for Colored Waifs, where he had been sent multiple times for general delinquency, most notably for a long term after firing his stepfather's pistol into the air at a New Year's Eve celebration, as police records confirm. Professor Peter Davis (who frequently appeared at the Home at the request of its administrator, Captain Joseph Jones)[9] instilled discipline in and provided musical training to the otherwise self-taught Armstrong. Eventually, Davis made Armstrong the band leader. The Home band played around New Orleans and the thirteen year old began to draw attention to his cornet playing, starting him on a musical career.[10]At fourteen he was released from the Home, and living again with his father and new stepmother, and then back to his mother and also back to the streets and its temptations. Armstrong got his first dance hall job at Henry Ponceβs where Black Benny became his protector and guide. He hauled coal by day and played his cornet at night.
He also played in the city's frequent brass band parades and listened to older musicians every chance he got, learning from Bunk Johnson, Buddy Petit, Kid Ory, and above all, Joe "King" Oliver, who acted as a mentor and father figure to the young musician. Later, he played in the brass bands and riverboats of New Orleans, and first started traveling with the well-regarded band of Fate Marable which toured on a steamboat up and down the Mississippi River. He described his time with Marable as "going to the University," since it gave him a much wider experience working with written arrangements.
In 1919, Joe Oliver decided to go north and he resigned his position in Kid Ory's band, then regarded as the best hot jazz group in New Orleans. Armstrong replaced his mentor and played second cornet. Soon he was promoted to first cornet and he also became second trumpet for the Tuxedo Brass Band, a society band.
When The Saints Go Marching In
Louis Armstrong & His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
O when the Saints go marching in
When the Saints go marching in
O Lord, I want to be in that number
And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun begins to shine
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed
When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
Louis Armstrongβs βWhen the Saints Go Marching Inβ is a joyful and uplifting song that dates back to the early 1900s. The song speaks about the hope and anticipation for a new world where there will be love, peace, and happiness, and where everyone will be reunited with those who have gone before.
The lyrics emphasize the importance of being a part of the number of saints and being prepared for when the trumpet sounds the call. It also discusses waiting for a new revelation and hoping for the time when leaders will learn to cry and work for the greater good. The song invokes a sense of unity and togetherness, a shared hope among saints that they will one day march into the new world with hearts full of joy.
This song has been recorded by many artists in various styles, but it remains a staple in New Orleans jazz and second line parades. It has also been played in sports events and performed by marching bands during halftime shows. It is one of the most recognizable and beloved songs in American music history.
Line by Line Meaning
We are traveling in the footsteps
Of those who've gone before
But we'll all be reunited (but if we stand reunited)
On a new and sunlit shore (then a new world is in store)
We are following the path of our ancestors, but we will meet again in an eternal and prosperous world if we stay united.
O when the Saints go marching in
When the Saints go marching in
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be amongst the righteous when they enter heaven.
And when the sun begins to shine
And when the sun begins to shine
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be counted among the faithful when the end times come, and the sun reveals the light of God.
When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be among the saved when the world is consumed by destruction and chaos.
On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be there on the day when the faithful have their ultimate victory and praise God with exaltation.
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O when the trumpet sounds the call
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be counted among the believers when the trumpet of God sounds on the day of reckoning.
Some say this world of trouble
Is the only one we need
But I'm waiting for that morning
When the new world is revealed
Some people believe that we only need this world of pain, but I look forward to the day when the new world is revealed.
When the revelation comes
When the revelation comes
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be among the faithful when the end times come and the true nature of God is revealed.
When the rich go out and work
When the rich go out and work
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be there when the rich and powerful are made accountable and have to work hard for their salvation.
When the air is pure and clean
When the air is pure and clean
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I look forward to the day when our world is not polluted, and we can take joy in breathing in the pure air of God's creation.
When we all have food to eat
When we all have food to eat
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be present when no one has to suffer from hunger, and everyone is provided with God's bounty.
When our leaders learn to cry
When our leaders learn to cry
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the Saints go marching in
I want to be there when the mighty weep, and those in charge realize the error of their ways and turn towards God.
Lyrics Β© OBO APRA/AMCOS
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@BuddyBrownMusic
He truly was and is the spirit of New Orleans. God Bless this legend!
@peaceman4u
Buddy Brown u ain't lying
@troyandrew6154
Buddy Brown new Orleans? I'd say all of Louisiana
@rosettaquartz6012
Troy Andrew Yea!
@WilhelmWilder
Even though the man who wrote it was from arkansas
@TheModShopCO
Garrett Baker he, meaning Louis Armstrong. Forget this particular song, Louis is the embodiment of Louisiana Soul.
@hicow6075
The woman singing along side Louis is Jewel Brown. She's still alive at 85 years old and is very well renowned within the jazz and blues world as a singer!
@joecox6931
Thanks for that information......she is wonderful ......πππ
@williammallory5553
Old Satchmo was a slick old dog. Lol
@user-nt1ik5tm7y
Thank you so much. Leon