Louis Armstrong – Sheet Music & Scores

“Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No matter what kind it is.”

Wise words from the Jazz trumpeter, singer and band leader, Louis Armstrong (1901-1971). He made such an indelible mark on the music world, that in 2001, the city of New Orleans named its airport after him, the Louis Armstrong Airport New Orleans. Browse our sheet music and scores, and explore all his greatest hits today.

The First Jazz Star

Growing up in poverty, at the age of nine, Louis Armstrong, and five other boys, were arrested for “being dangerous and suspicious characters”, and were sent to the Colored Waifs Home. It was there, three years later, that he began to play the cornet. It wasn’t long before he began making a living playing the trumpet, and quickly made a name for himself with the Bix Beiderbecke and Joe “King” Oliver bands. He soon became a star soloist in the popular Fletcher Henderson Band, before he began recording with his own bands, the Hot Five and the Hot Seven. After Swing established itself as the new fashion in the 1930s, Louis set up his world famous Big Band.

The virtuoso trumpeter became an international world star, and one of the very first pop phenomenon, even on a par with the infamous Charlie Chaplin. His legacy continues to inspire not only jazz musicians, but all sorts of people all around the world to this day. “Satchmo” remains an integral part of music history, and his music will resonate in our ears for a many years to come.

A little more Louis

• What A Wonderful World
• Jazz Trumpet
• Jazz Standards
• Learn to Sing Jazz