Why was Louis Armstrong important to the 1920s?
His musical presence, technical mastery, and imaginative abilities so overwhelmed jazz musicians of the 1920’s that he became their principle model, leaving an indelible imprint on the music. The Hot Five Recordings of the 1920’s introduced a technique and improvisational ability that changed the course of traditional jazz. He was a consummate master and the prime exemplar of incessant, intense swing; he played with an originality and passion in his musical inventions which inspired listeners and musicians alike. Probably his most significant contribution was that he single-handedly turned jazz from an ensemble to a soloist’s music. He became the model for virtually all jazz musicians of his time.
