Jazz artists research

Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901 into an extremely poor family. His dad left his mother at an early age and he was mainly left in the care of his grandmother while his mother would turn to prostitution to earn enough money to live. He first was exposed to music at his school and in the red light district where he could sometimes find work dragging coal. He also found odd jobs with a Jewish family who took him in and would treat him as family which would have a large influence on Armstrong who would wear a Star of David for the rest of his life. At 20 Armstrong would start featuring in extended trumpet solos and begin using singing in performances. He would eventually become known for his instantly recognisable voice and was influential in shifting improvisations to solo instruments and bending lyrics. By the end of the 60s Armstrong was recognised as not only a great jazz musician but also very influential in popular music.

Duke Ellington
Born 1899 in Washington D.C to parents who were both pianists, Edward Kennedy Ellington grew up in a very privileged and would be surrounded by dignified women to ensure he remained charming which would soon earn his nickname, Duke. He started piano lessons at 11 although only became dedicated at 14 when he started sneaking into poolrooms where pianists would play. From then his dedication to piano would grow and he turned down a scholarship to go to art school. He eventually became renowned as one of the greatest jazz composers, band leaders and pianists.

Miles Davis
Miles Davis was born 1926 to an affluent African-American family and would develop an early taste for gospel music at church. His mother was a good blues pianist however she would hide this from Davis. His dad purchased him a trumpet at 13, possibly to annoy his mum who did not like the sound. His teacher would encourage Davis to play without vibrato which at the time very uncommon and became his signature sound. By 16 he would start playing professionally and in 1959 recorded Kind of Blue which would become the best selling jazz record of all time and sell quadruple platinum.

Hugo Ramsey