I'm shooting high
Got my eye on a star in the sky
Shooting high
I'll never stop till I get to the top
Tell me why shooting high
You know it's you I'm after
You're my lucky star
I'm on a rainbow rafter
Climbing up to where you are
I'll have the time, it's a climb
But I'll make it 'cause I'm shooting high
Every morning when I raise my blind
To greet another day
I begin by making up my mind
That it's my lucky day
I'm shooting high
Got my eye on a star in the sky
Shooting high
I'll never stop till I get to the top
Tell me why shooting high
You know it's you I'm after
You're my lucky star
I'm on a rainbow rafter
Climbing up to where you are
I'll have the time, it's a climb
But I'll make it 'cause I'm shooting high

Louis Armstrong

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.