Louis Armstrong was born in 1901 into the Battlefield section of New Orleans.  This part of New Orleans, sadly was a redlight district and home to some of the city's toughest individuals.  Louis' father, Willie, left him, his mother Maryann, and his sibling shortly after the second child.  Louis' grandmother took on a massive job of helping raise Louis and provided him with a role model and helpful life tips.

Yung Louis

Louis went to school up until fifth grade when he dropped out to provide for his family.  Early on, he worked on and off for a man named Morris Karnofsky picking up trash and delivering coal.  Karnofsky was probably the closest thing Louis had to a father figure. Around New Year's 1912, Louis was arrested for firing a gun and sent to the Colored Waifs Home.

While at the home, Louis really wanted to join the band class they had offered.  After a few weeks of sitting outside the class, the teacher invited him to join and gave him a tambourine.  Louis was then offered to be the new bugle boy at the house.  He was then moved to play the cornet in the band.

Louis eventually moved on to the trumpet.   This would be his primary instrument throughout the rest of his career.  He played the trumpet so much that it would permanently scar his lips.