LIL HARDIN ARMSTRONG

Biography

Lillian Hardin Armstrong, born on February 2, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee, displayed early musical talent by playing a neglected harmonium and imaginary pianos as a child. After studying at Mrs. Hook’s school and briefly at Fisk University, where she faced criticism for her training, she moved to Chicago and honed her skills in classical music while developing a jazz flair at a music store. She began her professional career with Lawrence Duhé’s New Orleans Creole Jazz Band in 1918, earning the nickname 'Hot Miss Lil,' and progressed to gigs at De Luxe Café and Dreamland with Alberta Hunter, before joining King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band in 1921, a pivotal moment that introduced her to cornetist Louis Armstrong.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Earned teacher's and post-graduate diplomas from Chicago College of Music (1928) and New York College of Music (1929), and taught younger students throughout her life.[1]
• Led one of the first all-female jazz bands in Harlem (1931) and Chicago (1934).[3]
• Designed clothes for Louis Armstrong and pursued tailoring as a potential retirement career before reviving her music work.[4]
• Tore up her childhood music diploma in humiliation after Fisk University criticized her fingering training.[2]

Associated Acts

• Red Onion Jazz Babies (1924–1925)
• Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five (1925-11-12–1927)
• Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven - piano (1927–1928)
• King Oliver and His Creole Jazz Band
• Lil Hardin Armstrong and Her Orchestra
• New Orleans Wanderers
• Johnny Dodds Trio
• The Riffers
• Lil’s Hot Shots - eponymous
• King Oliver’s Jazz Band
• Lil’s Hot Shots
• Lil Hardin Armstrong and Her Orchestra - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• King Oliver - Hired her for his Creole Jazz Band due to her piano skills and classical background (King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band at Dreamland) [1921-1924]

Key Collaborators

• Louis Armstrong - Husband, musical partner, arranged and managed his Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions, composed lead sheets (Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings, 'Struttin’ with Some Barbecue') [1923-1931]
• King Oliver - Band pianist in his Creole Jazz Band (Creole Jazz Band recordings and performances) [1921-1924]
• Lawrence Duhé - Early band leader who launched her professional career (New Orleans Creole Jazz Band at Chinese restaurant and De Luxe Café) [1918-1921]
• Freddie Keppard - Band member in her own band and earlier collaborations (Her 1928 band, Original Creole Jazz Band) [1918s, 1928]
• Johnny Dodds - Recorded sessions as sideman and leader (Four record dates in 1929, 1938 New York session) [1929-1938]
• Alberta Hunter - Accompaniment and later recording partner (Dreamland performances, 'After All these Years' in 1961) [1920s-1961]

Artists Influenced

• Louis Armstrong - Mentored his style, managed career, arranged sessions, influenced cosmopolitan approach and confidence (Hot Five and Hot Seven records) [1923-1931]
• Ray Charles - Revived her composition as a hit standard ('Just For a Thrill') [1959]

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #boogie-woogie, #dixieland