The Effects of Race in the 1920's New Popularity of Jazz



The Effects of Race in the 1920's New Popularity of Jazz

Introduction

When most of us hear the word leader, during the Civil Rights Movement, we think of great men like, Martin Luther King or A. Philip Randolph. However, Louis Armstrong must be considered as one of our countries leaders. Being an innovative musician he not only pioneered jazz but overcame barriers set by racism. He saw the musician, not the color of the musician. Louis patented his own style of music which became known and loved the world over. David Stricklin's book Louis Armstrong gave us a detailed description of Armstrong's life. By cracking open the pages of history we gain a greater understanding of his life and how he interacted with his environment.

Discussion

Armstrong was born August 4, 1901, in the Third Ward just west of downtown New Orleans. Stricklin quoted Gary Giddins, “Louis was raised in a house of cards in the middle of a gale,” which describes his life. His family moved later to a red light district known as, The Battlefield. Just the name, The Battlefield, makes one think of a harsh environment where you could lose your life at any moment. According to Stricklin he was primarily raised by his grandmother, and had to endure seeing his mother struggle economically, even subjecting herself to prostitution to provide for her family. His father had limited contact, which must have been difficult for Louis to understand, since he had another family. During Armstrong's early adolescence the United States was in an era of reform, the Progressive Era, asking for far reaching reform in politics, business, poverty relief and conservation. Income levels were rising and the expansion of the middle class was significant at this time. Our country was becoming urbanized as the industrial revolution was exploding, while everyone looked to the federal government for answers.

Growing up in New Orleans must have been exciting, being a major seaport and the gateway to the heartland of America. Sailors and passengers arriving from around the world, different cultures influencing everyone they came into contact with. Louis had contact with Jewish immigrants from Russia, the Karnofskys, who befriended him in his neighborhood. He worked for them buying and selling scrap metal, to earn money for his family. They even loaned him five dollars to purchase his first musical instrument, a cornet. He ...