Born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901, Armstrong spent much of his youth as a street-singer.

After learning to play the coronet, he joined King Opry's Orchestra and became proficient enough to eventually quit and find a job playing on Mississippi riverboats.

In 1922, he switched from the coronet to the trumpet, and in 1924, he moved to Harlem where his "mastery of the trumpet and his scratchy vocal style" (Haaus) won the town over.

Touring brought him even more success, and his fame was "only hampered by the fact that the best venues were generally reserved for white musicians" (Haaus).

In later years, Armstrong relied more on his vocals than on his trumpet and can be remembered for the song, "What A Wonderful World."

Armstrong was "a huge influence on almost every emerging jazz musician until the 50's" and is credited for much of the popularity of jazz. Besides defining jazz and creating "scat," he "glamorized his nation [and] tactfully dealt with an oppressive social system and beat it" (Haaus).

Proficient: adjective Having or marked by an advanced degree of competence, as in an art, vocation, profession, or branch of learning.noun An expert; an adept.

Youth: The time of life between childhood and maturity.

Scratchy: Making a harsh, scratching noise: a scratchy voice; a scratchy record.

Harsh: Disagreeable to the senses, especially to the sense of hearing.

Fame: Public estimation; reputation

Hamper: To prevent the free movement, action, or progress of.

Venue: a. The scene or setting in which something takes place b. A place for large gatherings, as a sports stadium.

To rely: a.To be dependent for support, help, or supply b.To place or have faith or confidence

Scat: Jazz singing in which improvised, meaningless syllables are sung to a melody.

Glamorize: To treat or portray in a romantic manner; idealize or glorify.