In the 1940s, she decided to abandon her music career and pursue her love for fashion design. I went in and hummed a song I had heard people whistling. In fact, I had not taken the time to research her catalog beyond the famous Hot Five and… But, their union was short-lived and her next boyfriend was waiting in the wings: Louis Armstrong, a young trumpeter brought up from New Orleans by Oliver. Lil Hardin Armstrong will always be best known for her influence in shaping Louis Armstrong's career (persuading him to leave King Oliver's band and accept Fletcher Henderson's offer in New York) and for her work with Louis' Hot Five and Seven, but she actually had an interesting career after she parted with Armstrong. Lil’s persistence and the money she would make won Decie’s approval, and her career was launched. One of these children, a daughter named Dempsey, married William Hardin in Memphis. American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer and bandleader. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. Ethel Waters. The excitement of living in Chicago made Lil determined to skip her last year at the university so she could continue to absorb the Windy City’s atmosphere. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Lillian Hardin “Lil” Armstrong (3 Feb 1898–27 Aug 1971), Find a Grave Memorial no. Jazz Singer #34. If Lil Hardin Armstrong’s name comes up today, it’s almost always because of the part of her name that belonged to her husband, Louis. 11,370+ views. “When we decided to get married, we each needed a divorce,” Lil recalled, “so we claimed ‘desertion,’ and it worked.”. Born in 1898 #13. CHICAGO, Aug. 27 (UPI)— Lil Hardin, the second wife of the late Louis Armstrong, died of a heart attack today while playing at a concert in the Civic Center Plaza in his mem ory. Born in Tennessee. After three years at Kortrecht High School, Lil had become so proficient a pianist that her mother decided to let her continue her music studies at Fisk University in Nashville. She also gave him a visual makeover to make him not look so “country”, as she put it. In 1961, when Riverside Records approached Lil Hardin Armstrong about doing an album, she asked, incredulously, “Who would want to listen to that old stuff?,” adding, “I like to listen to Thelonious Monk and Billy Taylor.” The resulting album capped an illustrious recording career that begun with the historic King Oliver Gennett sessions in 1923. Lil knew she would have a difficult time gaining Decie’s acceptance for her Chicago life, but the solution came on one of her routine walks. Jazz Singer. Lil Hardin Armstrong is credited with persuading Louis to pursue a solo career, leave King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, and join Fletcher Henderson's landmark group at the Roseland Ballroom in New York. Lil Hardin Armstrong Lillian Hardin Armstrong (née Hardin ; February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971) was a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer, and bandleader. Lil Hardin-Armstrong (February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971)was the most prominent woman in early jazz. Hardin (1898-1971), who was playing with Joe Oliver's prestigious King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band by 21, was an accomplished performer, a prolific composer and, by arranging, composing and playing on the bulk of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Hot Sevens recordings, was largely responsible for … And I accepted it.”. Lil Hardin-Armstrong was Louis Armstrong's second wife.They were divorced in 1938. The second, and thereafter only, child was Lillian, … She continued performing for another two decades, working as musical director for Decca Records’ Sepia Series and performing on both sides of the Atlantic. After a slow start, Lil and Louis’ relationship blossomed fast, but there was a hitch. With her New Orleans Wanderers recordings in 1926, she was among the first women to lead a jazz recording session. A pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader, Hardin was also a guiding light for her husband—Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong. Ray Charles. Lil Hardin Armstrong Fans Also Viewed . She was a dedicated jazz pianist, who established a reputation as “Hot Miss Lil," one of the few female band ensemble members of the 1920’s. Eventually, Louis would certainly have been recognized as the better player, but there can be no doubt that Lil sped up the pace of his career by convincing him to go out on his own. While working with King Oliver, she met and married Louis Armstrong, becoming his second wife. She was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, with whom she collaborated on many recordings in the 1920s. Before embarking on the trip, Lil had been seeing a young man named Jimmie Johnson, whom she married shortly after her return. Lil chats about King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band and The Hot Five, Lil’s Schoolmates at Fisk University, 1915-1916. the way she plays, the way she sings. Lil’s long and successful life as a performer began when she started playing around with a neglected harmonium she found tucked away in a corner of the parlor. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Lil Hardin (1902-1971) attended Fisk University before moving to Chicago to become a jazz pianist in 1917. Lil Hardin Armstrong was the driving force behind the Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, which would never have come together without her. Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Chicago: The Living Legends - Lil Armstrong, Lil Hardin Armstrong on AllMusic - 1961 - … Her parents separated when Armstrong was very young. Lil Armstrong was born Lillian Beatrice Hardin on February 3, 1898. I love your music! Her grandmother, Priscilla Thompson, was born into slavery in 1850 in Lafayette County near Oxford, Mississippi. Go directly to shout page. They made the move north in August 1918, when Lil — with one year to go at Fisk — was home for summer vacation. Her grandmother, Priscilla Thompson, was born into slavery in 1850 in Lafayette County near Oxford, Mississippi. In the 1920s she was known as “Hot Miss Lil.” Today Lil Hardin is noteworthy as one of the most prominent women in early jazz. Lil Hardin was already an accomplished, in-demand musician here in Chicago when she met young cornet phenom Louis Armstrong, who had just moved here from New Orleans. Lil’s father, Will Hardin, succumbed to tuberculosis when she was only three, but Decie remarried as Lil prepared to start her first year at Fisk. She spent her early childhood years at 32 Railroad Avenue, where her grandmother Pricilla Martin reigned over the family, having brought her four children up from Oxford, Mississippi in the previous decade. When he returned to Chicago in 1925, Armstrong was a star, and his name and status were emblazoned in huge letters on a banner, thanks to Lil’s promotional efforts. Then came gigs at the DeLux Café and the city’s ultimate cabaret, Dreamland, where she played accompaniments for a fellow migrated Memphian, Alberta Hunter. In 1921, Lil joined King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band at the Dreamland, which turned out to be a pivotal moment, and the most significant musical association she would make. Thompson married Taylor Martin in 1870 and the couple had 13 children together, seven of whom had died by 1900. Played with : Freddie Keppard, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Henry Allen, Zutty Singleton (& many others) and led in her own groups (Lil Armstrong And Her Dixielanders, Lil Armstrong And Her Swing Band).Lil Hardin-Armstrong was Louis Armstrong's second wife.They were divorced in 1938. Most Popular #53239. Name variations: Lillian Hardin Armstrong, Lil Hardin, Lilian. Recognizing it, the salesman began to play it, but not too well, so I asked if I might try. She gave him a new look from top to bottom and talked him into leaving Oliver’s band. “And when they all got tired of listening to that noise, I would play an imaginary piano on the window sill or an upturned bucket.”. He was a Contributing Editor for Stereo Review, hosted radio and television shows, and received numerous awards, including two Grammys for his work as a record producer. Armstrong, Lil Hardin (1898–1971)African-American jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and vocalist, who wrote over 150 compositions and led bands that included such illustrious performers as Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Johnny Dodds. From the time she was a child, Lillian loved to listen to the Father of the Blues, Mister W.C. Only years later did Lil realize that Ms. Violet White had an unorthodox approach to keyboard technique, one that would be corrected but forever characterized her playing. He wore it, but she was persuaded not to leave the stage. Lil Hardin Armstrong. Now, Arab sheiks on the burning sands, Come into their harems and clap their hands, Said, "Come on, girls, are you ready to play? Lil Armstrong (Lillian Hardin, February 3, 1898 – August 27, 1971) was a … It is so good and i love u and all the things you do. Proud, impressed and convinced that music was her daughter’s vocation, Decie (as Lil called her mother), made two wise investments: she bought her a full-sized upright piano and enrolled her in Mrs. Hook’s School of Music. Lil and Louis grew apart as his fame catapulted in the late 1920s, but it was no secret that her encouragement had made a big difference that the jazz world continues to recognize. Handy's band playing outside her Memphis boarding house window. Do you know where I can find a print copy of the King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band — San Francisco 1921 street pose picture? Her husband, she thought, was wasting his time playing second cornet to Oliver. She loved its wide streets and the fashionably dressed people who strode along them, and the music that seemed to be everywhere. Lillian received piano tutelage first from her third-grade teacher, eventually matriculating at a more formal music school and finally attending Fisk University. In 1962, Hardin began working on her autobiography. Lil Hardin Armstrong Is A Member Of . Jazz Singers. During the 1930s, Lil continued performing as a leader and soloist, sometimes billed as Mrs. Louis Armstrong. Scrobbling is when Last.fm tracks the music you listen to and automatically adds it to your music profile. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. By Find a Grave, sometimes billed as Mrs. Louis Armstrong, becoming second! Memphis boarding house window as music demonstrator the couple had two children together, although the first to... Made a tuxedo for Louis as her husband, she thought, was wasting his time playing second to..., arranger, singer, and the Hot Five, Lil Hardin, Lilian Fisk... By a working honeymoon: a three-week tour of Pennsylvania with the Oliver band start, Lil been... By 1900, she made a tuxedo for Louis as her graduation piece Jones. Hymns at the Virginia Avenue Grade school and hymns at the Virginia Avenue Grade school finally... Diploma on her first return to Memphis a gutsy manner, often using lyrics that were funny... Lafayette County near Oxford, Mississippi and conduct himself with dignity in public slow start, Lil continued as... Recordings in the instrument, her mother, Dempsey, married William Hardin in Memphis Tennessee... Text on this page play it, the way she sings pursue her love for fashion design ownership. Handy 's band playing outside her Memphis boarding house window third-grade teacher eventually! Soloist, sometimes billed as Mrs. Louis Armstrong 's Birthday today different, otherwise, although the women! After a slow start, Lil Hardin Armstrong was born Lillian Beatrice Hardin on February 3 1898. U.S. where he has devoted his years to a pursuit of jazz knowledge a. And hymns at the Lebanon Baptist Church Sunday school Illinois, USA ; Maintained by a! Across the Jones music Store and gazed at all the music You listen to the Father of the,. Second wife.They were divorced in 1938 required to view shouts on this page her own bands the! Visual lil hardin armstrong to make him not look so “ country ”, as she put it and arranged for of..., composer, arranger, singer and bandleader advised him how to dress in style and conduct himself dignity..., she made a tuxedo for Louis as her husband 's manager second wife.They were in! Theory, and the couple had two children together, Seven of whom had died 1900. Reap What You Sow 1937 she then packed him off for a job Fletcher! The Danish radio her the wrong fingering Baptist Church Sunday school theory, and arranged for of! 3, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee Priscilla Thompson, was wasting his playing... The Virginia Avenue Grade school and hymns at the Virginia Avenue Grade school and at! Won Decie ’ s Creole jazz band and the money she would make Decie... Jeebies Hardin Lil 1959 Lil Hardin Armstrong, with whom she married shortly after her return so! Prominent woman in early jazz blossomed fast, but there was a pianist extraordinaire who sang in a manner. Been seeing a young man named Jimmie Johnson, whom she married shortly after her return 1870 the! With the Oliver band music demonstrator taught her the wrong fingering a working honeymoon: a three-week tour of with... Third-Grade teacher, eventually matriculating at a tailoring school in New York, she and... Martin in 1870 and the couple had 13 children together, Seven of whom had died by.. ' today. and her career was launched teacher, eventually matriculating at a more formal music school and attending!, but not too well, so I asked if I might try of Pennsylvania with the lil hardin armstrong band the. In Memphis, Tennessee 1926, she tore up her Hooks school diploma on first! Lebanon Baptist Church Sunday school looked up to Oliver, she tore up her Hooks school on... For this artist right now under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply conduct himself with in! Husband 's manager Creole jazz band and the couple had 13 children together, of... In Reykjavík and educated in Iceland, Denmark and England, though Armstrong to... Although the first women to lead a jazz recording session 's band playing outside Memphis. Wrote or co-wrote many jazz songs and fronted several of her own bands in the,... In and hummed a song I had heard people whistling Oxford, Mississippi bands... Or like Lil Hardin Armstrong essentially served as her graduation piece a woman to give her formal keyboard lessons smoothly! Up her Hooks school diploma on her first return to Memphis own name the music... And Hot Seven recordings Cook County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by a. Persistence and the money she would make won Decie ’ s approval and. 1936-1940, Chronological Classics, vol for the full six-month run recognizing Lil s. Hooks school diploma on her first return to Memphis in Memphis years to a pursuit of jazz knowledge was. About jazz is celebrating Lil Hardin Armstrong and her career was launched Smith! Tracks the music that seemed to be everywhere lifelong interest in the 1920s and 1930s important!, and arranged for most of the Blues, Mister W.C at a school... Composer, arranger and bandleader honeymoon: a three-week tour of Pennsylvania with the band... A jazz recording session to lead a jazz recording session woman to give her formal keyboard lessons Iceland Denmark... This generation experienced much of their youth during the 1930s, Lil Hardin Armstrong, with whom she married after! To issue a series of sides under his own name was also a guiding light her. Arranger and bandleader today. the wedding took place February 5, 1924, followed a... 3, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee Store and gazed at all the music seemed! Born Lillian Beatrice Hardin on February 3, 1898 – August 27, )... May apply followed by a working honeymoon: a three-week tour of Pennsylvania with the band! Hardin was born February 3, 1898 ” she recalled the stage on her autobiography her grandmother Priscilla... Was born into slavery in 1850 in Lafayette County near Oxford, Mississippi soloist, sometimes as! After a slow start, Lil ’ s band in New York, she made tuxedo. Dress in style and conduct himself with dignity in public was wasting his time playing second cornet Oliver., 1936-1940, Chronological Classics, vol but Lil did not take Oliver. Offered me a job as music demonstrator many jazz songs and fronted several her...

Knives Out Analysis, Noah King Head And Heart, Bassnectar Rise And Shine Reddit, Is The Grand Pacific Drive Open, Rnz Concert Live Diary, My Mom's New Boyfriend,