Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) was an American jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and recording artist whose work helped shape 20th-century popular music. Born in New Orleans, he rose from local bands to national prominence, developing a virtuosic trumpet style and a distinctive, gravelly singing voice. Armstrong’s improvisations and rhythmic phrasing influenced generations of musicians and broadened jazz’s audience worldwide. He recorded extensively across several decades, producing landmark performances as both a soloist and bandleader. Known for his charismatic stage presence, he became one of the most recognizable figures in American music. Armstrong died in 1971.