Louis Armstrong

"Have you met Miss Jones?" someone said as we shook hands
She was just Miss Jones to me
And then I said, "Miss Jones, you're a girl who understands
I'm a man who must be free."
And all at once I lost my breath, and all at once was scared to death
And all at once I owned the earth and sky
And now I've met Miss Jones, and we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I
[musical interlude]
And all at once I lost my breath, and all at once was scared to death
And all at once I owned the earth and the sky
Now I've met Miss Jones, and we'll keep on meeting till we die
Miss Jones and I, Miss Jones and I, Miss Jones and I

Louis Armstrong, known throughout his lengthy career by nicknames like “Satchmo”, “Pops” and simply “Louie”, was a trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor, as well as one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz.

Born and raised in New Orleans, where jazz itself is alleged to have began, Armstrong started his career in 1918, playing the cornet in brass bands and riverboats along the Mississippi River. There, he caught the attention of his future mentor, King Oliver, joining his band in Chicago, where he networked with other popular jazz musicians like Hoagy Carmichael and his first wife Lil Hardin Armstrong.

In 1924, Louie relocated to New York City playing for the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. It was at this time he switched over from cornet to trumpet in order to blend in better with the other musicians in his section. It was also when he developed his emotional playing style, which included singing and telling tales of his life back in New Orleans.

more tracks from the album

An American Songbook

From the albums

An American Songbook
Louis Under the Stars (1957)
I’ve Got the World on a String / Louis Under the Stars (1999)

Louis Armstrong popular songs

Have You Met Miss JonesLouis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong

An American Songbook