Louis Armstrong (1901–71) was an American trumpeter and one of the most influential artists in jazz history. He developed a passion for music as a teenager, and in 1922 he moved to Chicago to join King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band. Two years later Armstrong—commonly known by the nickname “Satchmo”—became a member of the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra in New York City. In 1925 he switched from cornet to trumpet and began recording under his own name with his Hot Five and Hot Seven ensembles. In these recordings the prevailing emphasis on collective improvisation gave way to his developing strength as a soloist and vocalist.
By the time of his “West End Blues” (1928), Armstrong had established the preeminence of the virtuoso soloist in jazz. His vibrant melodic phrasing, inventive harmonic improvisation, and swinging rhythmic conception established the vernacular of jazz music. His powerful tone, great range, and dazzling velocity set a new technical standard. He also was one of the first scat singers, improvising nonsense syllables in the manner of a horn. He became something more than a jazz musician: a solo attraction, bandleader, film actor, and international star.