Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong was an American jazz trumpeter, singer, and bandleader. He was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is considered one of the most influential figures in jazz music history. Armstrong grew up in poverty and began playing music at a young age, eventually becoming one of the most famous musicians of the 20th century.

Armstrong started his career as a member of various jazz ensembles in New Orleans, including Kid Ory’s band and King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band. He then moved to Chicago in the 1920s and joined Fletcher Henderson’s Orchestra, one of the most popular jazz bands of the era. Armstrong’s unique style of playing the trumpet, including his improvisational skills and his use of scat singing, made him a standout performer and led to his success as a solo artist.

Throughout his career, Armstrong recorded many popular songs, including “What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly!,” and “Mack the Knife.” He also appeared in several films and television shows, including “High Society” and “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Armstrong was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement and used his fame to speak out against racism and segregation in the United States.

In 1995, the United States Postal Service issued a 32-cent stamp featuring Louis Armstrong as part of its Jazz Musicians series. The stamp features a portrait of Armstrong holding his trumpet, with the word “Louis Armstrong” printed below his head.