"If anybody was Mr. Jazz it was Louis Armstrong. He was the epitome of jazz and always will be. He is what I call an American standard, an American original" -Duke Ellington
For many years the world did not know Louis Armstrong’s date of birth. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz. Armstrong claimed throughout his life that he was born on July 4, 1900. This was fitting for one of the most influential proprietors and cultural ambassadors of 20th century American music. Still historians were never sure. Just as they could not pinpoint the creation of jazz to an exact date, they were uncertain of when the world first heard Armstrong's cry.
At the age of 14, Armstrong picked up the trumpet and began taking lessons from Joe Oliver, one of the finest trumpet players that New Orleans had to offer. Oliver taught him a purely American form of music and how to make it his own. With both his trumpet and his voice Armstrong became one of the most important improvisers in jazz and popular music. Bing Crosby affectionately stated that "he is the beginning and the end of music in America." Armstrong introduced the world to the concept of swing; the rhythmic heartbeat that makes jazz so unique propelled American music to great international acclaim. Because of Louis Armstrong, America has never sounded the same.
A baptism certificate was found in the early 1990s confirming that Armstrong’s actual date of birth was August 4th 1901. Though less romantic than the date he often claimed, the world is lucky to know the truth. Without the distractions of fireworks and parades of red white and blue, we are able to remember and celebrate Armstrong with the focus he deserves.