How Louis Armstrong Influenced The World Of Jazz Music
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How Louis Armstrong Influenced The World Of Jazz Music

An in-depth analysis and comparison of Louis Armstrong's songs.

7047
How Louis Armstrong Influenced The World Of Jazz Music
Wallpaperscraft

Louis Armstrong, who was nicknamed "Satchmo," was a popular figure who made an impact in the jazz world. What exactly is jazz and what is the meaning of jazz? Some think of jazz simply as a genre of music that was born in New Orleans. Others say jazz comes straight from the rhythm of the heart. However, Louis Armstrong defines jazz differently; according to the article called “Miles Davis — Music as Emotional Instability,” when Armstrong was questioned about what jazz is, his reply was “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.” What is meant by his answer is that jazz is something that one has to find out by him or herself and in order to know jazz, one must feel the music, not ask for the meaning. Three of his songs, “What a Wonderful World,” “We Have All The Time in the World,” and “La Vie en Rose,” introduce a similar topic and share a common theme: love and the world. Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen, is a romantic comedy movie about a screenwriter and novelist by the name of Gil Pender. He and his fiancée were vacationing in Paris, where one day, Gil meets a strange group of people who apparently took him back in time to the 1920s for one night with some Jazz Age’s icons of art and literature. In the end, Gil bumps into Gabrielle, an antique dealer, and learn that they both share the love of Paris.

Jazz musician Louis Armstrong was born on August 4, 1901, in New Orleans in one of the poorest sections. According to William Ruhlmann, a contributor to the All Music website, Armstrong had a rough childhood because “his father, [who] was a factory worker, abandoned the family soon after [Armstrong’s] birth.” He began to show an early interest in music and was later mentored by Joe “King” Oliver, an American jazz cornet player. An article called "Satchmo: The Life of Louis Armstrong” offers a saying from trumpeter and jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: “Louis Armstrong is jazz. He represents what music is all about.” Armstrong influenced the direction of jazz music and earned the reputation as the best jazz player of his time. The 1920s was when Armstrong’s performance revolutionized the jazz world when he introduced the extended solo as he was playing with other musical groups. This article also explains that even though “the history of jazz is filled with ... innovative musicians,” no one had such a profound influence in the jazz world as Armstrong did. His performances changed the jazz world dramatically.

In addition to being a performer, Armstrong was a composer as well. According to the Louis Armstrong House Museum website, “he wrote more than fifty songs, many of which have become jazz standards.” Some of Armstrong’s famous and popular songs include “What a Wonderful World,” “La Vie en Rose," and "We Have All the Time in the World.” These songs intertwine in which they share a common topic of the world and love. In "What a Wonderful World," which suggests that one should enjoy life and enjoy what is around you because nothing lasts forever, the tone is optimistic and poetic. The mood created is serene, calm, and cheerful because of how Louis Armstrong describes the world as a beautiful place to live in. Armstrong’s song shows that even though there is so much hatred and violence in the world, the world is still a beautiful world to live in and enjoy and that there is a chance for pain to cease and make life peaceful again. The song has a metaphor: "Colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of the people passing by." The comparison shows that the people are looking cheerful as they are walking. In "La Vie en Rose," the tone is also optimistic. The song’s title literally translates into “Life in Pink." The part of the song that goes “When you kiss me, heaven sighs” is a personification that shows that love is the most wonderful thing that makes someone feel jubilant about life.

"We Have All the Time in the World" is a song that suggests that the time that we have in the world is enough time for us to live. He speaks specifically about love and how everyone has enough time to spend just for love. The tone is joyful since he feels enthusiastic about loving someone. This song in the way interconnects the other two songs together because "What a Wonderful World" describes a world that is beautiful while "La Vie en Rose" describes love that Armstrong cherishes because he says if he is given the heart and soul of the one he desires, then life will forever be in "La Vie en Rose." In "We Have All the Time in the World," the song brings both elements, the world and love, and combines them together saying that the world is beautiful when one has love. One of Armstrong's saying which is mentioned in the article “

Smashed Hits: How political is What a Wonderful World” describes both those elements: “Seems to me it ain't the world that's so bad but what we're doing to it, and all I'm saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we'd give it a chance. Love, baby — love. That's the secret.” He is basically saying the world is beautiful if one tries to love the world the way the world is now because this all depends on one's perspective. If one looks at the world negatively, then there is no beauty in the world.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

90332
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

62330
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments