Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. His parents were Mary Estelle “Mayann” Albert and William Armstrong.
When she was about sixteen years old, Mary Albert was born at home. She was from Louisiana’s Boutte. Less than two years later, they welcomed Beatrice “Mama Lucy” Armstrong (1903–1987), who Albert raised. William Armstrong fled the family shortly after.
Louis Armstrong was raised by his grandmother until he was five years old, at which point his mother took him back. He was raised in The Battlefield, a rough area on the southern end of Rampart Street, where he knew adversity.
Starting in September 1918 aboard an excursion boat, Armstrong began his musical career by playing in New Orleans brass bands and on riverboats. As part of the Fate Marable band tour, he toured up and down the Mississippi River on the riverboat Sidney with the Streckfus Steamers company. Marable, who took great pride in his musical ability, insisted that Armstrong and the other band members become proficient at sight reading.
Why is Louis Armstrong’s voice so unique?
Most people around the globe can recognize Louis Armstrong’s voice because of how distinctive his vocal style is! He was the first to capture the vocal technique referred to as “scat singing.” Every subsequent American popular artist was impacted by his vocal phrasing and improvisation.
