A new book uncovers previously unknown details about the early life of jazz legend Louis Armstrong, revealing that both his mother and sister faced multiple arrests for prostitution.
Louis Armstrong , the legendary jazz musician known for hits like What a Wonderful World, lived a life that was a stark contrast to his childhood. While his later years were filled with fame, fortune, and collaborations with iconic artists like Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald, his early life was marked by poverty, crime, and violence. A new book sheds light on this forgotten chapter, revealing that both his mother and sister faced arrests for prostitution in their New Orleans neighborhood.
Born in 1901, Armstrong's life took a turn in 1912 when he was arrested and sent to the Colored Waif's Home. There, under the guidance of music teacher Peter Davis, he discovered his talent for playing the cornet and nurtured his dream of becoming a professional musician. By 1922, he had joined King Oliver's band in Chicago and was making a name for himself in the jazz world. Armstrong always spoke fondly of his mother and sister, crediting them for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout his journey. While previous biographies hinted at their struggles to make ends meet, concrete evidence was lacking. Now, police reports and interviews have surfaced, revealing that his mother, Mayann, and sister, Beatrice, were arrested multiple times for prostitution, spending days in jail. The book, titled , draws on unpublished tapes, manuscripts, and letters, including interviews with Armstrong's sister late in life, an unfinished autobiography by his second wife, Lil Hardin, and Armstrong's own unedited manuscript for his autobiography. This fresh evidence paints a vivid picture of Armstrong's challenging early life, highlighting the harsh realities of poverty and crime that shaped his formative years. The book's author, Riccardi, describes Armstrong's story as the ultimate rags-to-riches tale, emphasizing the resilience and talent that propelled him from a life of hardship to international stardom.
Music Louis Armstrong Jazz Music History Childhood Poverty Prostitution New Orleans
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