10 Interesting Facts About Louis Armstrong

1. Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he grew up in a very poor family.

2. He got his first cornet at the age of 11, and by the time he was a teenager, he was playing in local jazz bands.

3. Armstrong got his big break in 1922 when he joined King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band in Chicago.

4. He was one of the first musicians to use the solo as a form of improvisation, and his virtuosic playing style was a major influence on other jazz musicians.

5. Armstrong was also a talented singer, and his gravelly, soulful voice became a trademark of his performances.

6. He was a major figure in the development of swing music and was a key player in the transition from traditional jazz to the more modern styles that emerged in the 1930s and 1940s.

7. Armstrong had a huge impact on popular music and culture, and he became one of the most beloved and influential musicians of the 20th century.

8. He was known for his signature handkerchief, which he often used to mop his brow during performances.

9. Armstrong was also a prolific recording artist, and he made over 3,000 recordings during his career.

10. He was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and used his platform to speak out against racism and discrimination, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s.