As one of the most influential Jazz performers to rise out of New Orleans, Louis Armstrong still is an American legend among our country. As a boy he was taught trumpet and cornet, while later was introduced to vocals. He is known for his improvisation of lyrical work, trumpet and “scat”. Although he was not outspoken, Armstrong was a promoter to the Civil Rights Movement. One of his songs inspired by the movement was What a Wonderful World.
Although being written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, Armstrong felt close to the piece and agreed to play it in 1968. The song is based of the positive outlook on life and settling racial tension in the world. The United States still suffered from a racial division, progress was being made. It wasn’t until the 1950’s where laws were being passed such as the “Separate but Equal” doctrine, which was still far from the true outlook. It is a life that seems so distant now; Louis Armstrong was growing up through a time of segregation and injustice. At a slow pace, Jazz was being publicized. It was a very influential moment as African-Americans were being accepted into the pop culture setting. Louis was being raised into a upper class setting that normally wasn’t allowed to African Americans. Things had grown leaps but were still not perfect; they wrote a song to serve as an antidote. The lyrics showed a positivity that Armstrong most definitely had burning inside him. He voice helped calm the storm and inspire people across the world.
As a child, Louis Armstrong was always a huge inspiration of mine. One of the main things I find so amazing about him is his incredibly unique voice, his control is fantastic. I always wished as a little kid, playing his tapes, that one day I could have his voice. What a Wonderful World is one of those songs that could be overplayed on every commercial and Toy Story movie, it will still be amazing to me. It’s so simple but has such a strong movement behind it. It is something that I could listen to at any moment and it would flood my head with memories.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM
“Louis Armstrong House Museum.” Louis Armstrong House Museum. The Kupferberg Center. Web. 01 Apr. 2012..
“Louis Armstrong Biography.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 01 Apr. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912>.
Devin's Appreciation 
There is no doubt this man has tremendous talent! I too loved hearing his song in Toy Story movies. His voice is very distinctive and so calming. The lyrics to his song are so true about the time he was living in. I find his life so interesting because he was able to be an up and coming artist in his time. This song, I think to you as well as many people is a very comforting because it is such a positive, uplifting song. It really makes you think about your life and how happy everything is.
I think you did a really great write up. I love your direct connection to the song and how it effects you as well as how you grew up loving the artist. He is an amazing trumpet player and I can see how his music has helped everyone come so far. The biography and background information was very interesting and I enjoyed reading it!
I love that you chose Louis Armstrong and the song “What a wonderful world”. Louis Armstrong is just one of those people who can only breathe happiness into your soul. His voice is so unique and so easily controlled by him its unreal!! it such unique voice will never be duplicated, much like Frank Sinatra he is one of those “voices” that will continue to go down in history and you’re so right about his songs never being able to be played out because there’s just no way that hearing this man sing about such optimism can bring anyone but good feelings. I loved your personal connection to him and how you looked up to him as a child, i know you have a great appreciation for unique voices and they influence your music a lot. Great detail on all the background info and how it related to the social issues that surrounded Armstrong’s life I definitely learned a lot about this incredible man just from your blog. Keep it up! if you get a chance check out this man’s incredible rendition of “What a wonderful world” around 2:11 i just love his voice and the soothing Ukulele.
I love this song and Armstrong! It is such a classic. His voice is truly amazing. Although this time was beginning to see some progress it was still far from being equal, a problem we still struggle with today and not just racially. You did a great job including valid information and connecting jazz with an influential time. Jazz was an important element during this time because like you mentioned African American culture was slowly beginning to be accepted as they influenced the Civil Rights Movement. Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” is like Martin Luther’s I Have A Dream speech. It paints a picture of equality and what society should be like. Everyone should be able to get along and enjoy life not live in fear and segregation. Overall all great post, I really enjoyed it!
This was a scary time in history for African American people in America and I think Loius Armstrong was brave to sing this song during that time. I think he showed courage standing up for himself and basically saying “why can’t we all just get along?”. I think you did a good job on connecting the time of this song to what was happening in the country. This song, with Armstrong singing it, is an American classic in my book.
This song gave me such an inner peace and calmness when I first heard it years back. Listening to it now and still getting the feeling. What an amazing song,can’t wait to play it for my children.
What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong | Devin’s Appreciation