Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901- July 6, 1971) was a popular African American jazz musician who was an "inventive" trumpet and cornet player who was also a very influential singer known for his distinct and gravelly singing voice. Having come from a poor family in New Orleans, Armstrong began to perform with bands in small clubs, and play at funerals and parades around town in New Orleans, though his talent helped him break down some of the racial barriers as he played in several mixed race bands and was invited to play in white only clubs. Louis Armstrong was invited in 1922 to move to Chicago, to play the second cornet in a Creole Jazz Band. In 1942, he married a dancer from the Cotton Club, where his band had performed many times. All throughout the 1950's and 60's, Armstrong appeared in films and made many international tours. Louis Armstrong is one of the most appreciated jazz artists of the Harlem Renaissance, and of all times. People learned to appreciate both jazz, and African American music even more, because of this man. Armstrong played music up until the day he died at 70 years old, on July 6,