Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was born in the slums of New Orleans, August 4, 1901. Armstrong's mother, Mary was very young and his father William abandoned he and his mother soon after his birth. His first five years of life was spent with his grandmother. When he was twelve, he got into some trouble and was sent to the Colored Waif's home. He received his first horn while he was in the home.

When he left the Waif's home, he would play in 'honky tonks' and jook joints. While playing these small venues he was noticed by Joe "King" Oliver. Oliver helped him with his career. He traveled up and down the Mississippi on playing on river- boats.

Armstrong became known as "The Jazz Ambassador". He played the stages of Broadway and the sets of Hollywood. He appeared in the courts of kings and queens. Louis Armstrong will always be remembered in the world of jazz. From very humble beginnings Armstrong never forgot about where he had come up from.