What instrument did Louis Armstrong play?
Quick answer
Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) played the trumpet, and earlier in his career the cornet, a closely related brass instrument. Nicknamed “Satchmo,” he’s one of the most influential musicians in jazz history, famous for his brilliant solos and his gravelly singing voice.
Key facts
- Born
- August 4, 1901, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Died
- July 6, 1971, New York City
- Instruments
- Trumpet, cornet, vocals
- Nicknames
- Satchmo, Pops
From New Orleans to the world
Armstrong grew up poor in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. As a boy, he learned the cornet at the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys, where he was sent after firing a pistol into the air on New Year’s Eve. He later joined King Oliver’s band in Chicago and switched to trumpet in the mid-1920s.
Why he mattered
- The jazz soloist: Early jazz was mostly group playing. Armstrong’s exciting solos made improvisation by one star player central to jazz.
- Scat singing: He popularized singing nonsense syllables like an instrument, famously on “Heebie Jeebies” (1926).
- Recordings: His Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings (1925–1928) are considered some of the most important in jazz.
Famous songs
| Song | Year |
|---|---|
| “West End Blues” | 1928 |
| “Hello, Dolly!” | 1964 (knocked the Beatles off No. 1 in the US) |
| “What a Wonderful World” | 1967 |
| “We Have All the Time in the World” | 1969 (from a James Bond film) |
Trumpet vs cornet
| Trumpet | Cornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Longer, more cylindrical tubing | More compact, conical tubing |
| Sound | Brighter, more brilliant | Warmer, mellower |
Legacy
Armstrong toured the world as an unofficial goodwill ambassador for the US, earning the nickname “Ambassador Satch.” His home in Queens, New York, is now a museum.
For other music legends, see who composed the Star Wars music and who sang “I Will Always Love You” first.
Still curious?
Jump to a random question from the archive.