Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were both regarded as pioneers within jazz music, each bringing notable changes to the way jazz is performed and written. Both achieved monumental success despite having entirely different upbringings.
Louis Armstrong
Armstrong was born on August 4th 1901 in New Orleans, widely recognised as the birthplace of jazz. Armstrong experienced a tough childhood after his dad abandoned the family soon after his birth leaving his mother, Mary Armstrong, and his maternal grandmother responsible for looking after him. Mary often had to turn to prostitution to make money. Louis began working at a young age to help towards the family's living costs. This work included singing on street corners for spare change and working on a junk wagon.
Whilst exploring New Orleans, Armstrong was exposed to a variety of contemporary music. From honky tonk blues bars to brass band parades and funeral processions, Armstrong no doubt picked up countless influences during his childhood.
After obtaining a cornet, Armstrong taught himself to play and dropped out of school aged 11 to join an informal music group. However, on December 31st 1912 he fired his stepfather's gun to celebrate the new year and was arrested. He was consequently sent to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys where he studied music and received further tuition for his cornet. He became the leader of the school's band playing cornet and bugle. It was here that Armstrong developed his true passion for music.
In 1914 Louis Armstrong was released from the home and resumed working. By playing music part time at every available opportunity he became respected as a skilled blues player. He caught the attention of Joe "King" Oliver, who became his mentor and taught him new tricks for horn playing.
In 1918 Oliver moved to Chicago leaving a space available for Armstrong in Kid Ory's band. The next year Armstrong began playing for the Fate Marable band and remained there until 1921, spreading the sound of New Orleans. During this period he progressed his skills at reading music, working full time within music and met legends such as Bix Beiderbecke and Jack Teagarden.
During his career, Armstrong went on to perform trumpet and vocals across America whilst his fan base continued to grow. He gained privileges that would usually be reserved exclusively for whites. This included staying at hotels that condoned white only policies and dining at restaurants that rejected African-Americans. He was widely accepted amongst white citizens in America during a period of strong racial discrimination.
Armstrong gained recognition throughout his career for his unique growling voice and his development of scat singing. He was respected by, and influenced, his most celebrated contemporaries, such as Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington.
References
http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912#younger-years
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/louis-armstrong-mn0000234518/biography
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_armstrong_louis.htm
wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong
Duke Ellington
Edward "Duke" Ellington led an equally successful career to Louis Armstrong, although his upbringing was vastly different. Whilst Armstrong gained fame as a virtuoso trumpet player with a unique singing style, Duke Ellington made his name as an ensemble composer and a pianist.
Ellington was born on April 29th 1899 in Washington DC into a middle class family. He was introduced to music at an early age by his parents, both of whom were deeply interested in music themselves. His father, James Edward Ellington, worked as a White House butler, ensuring a steady income for the family. Duke began learning piano at the age of seven and picked up valuable inspiration from great contemporary pianists. Fats Waller, Willie "The Lion" Smith and James P. Johnson were amongst the range of musicians who influenced Ellington's early compositions, including his first piece "Soda Fountain Rag" at the age of 15.
Ellington's strong interest in music influenced his decision to drop out of high school in 1917 to pursue a career in it. He began by hiring musicians to perform in bands around the Washington area until he eventually moved to New York with his five-piece band The Washingtonians in 1923. The band gained a residency at The Hollywood Club (later known as The Kentucky Club) at Times Square. During his time in The Washingtonians, Ellington searched for musicians who were renowned for their notable styles of playing. Bubber Miley and Joe Nanton were hired to join the band for their original playing styles on trumpet and trombone respectively. Miley used a plunger to create a "wah" sound on trumpet and cornet whilst Nanton had a distinct "growl" within his trombone playing. Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart and Johnny Hodges were amongst the musicians who played for Ellington's band.
Throughout his career, Ellington incorporated elements of Tin Pan Alley, Blues, Ragtime and other styles to create a unique sound. His innovation as a composer, band leader and a pianist earned him his popularity and fame.
References
http://www.dukeellington.com/
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/duke-ellington-mn0000120323/biography
http://www.biography.com/people/duke-ellington-9286338
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_ellington_duke.htm
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