ABSTRACT

Born: August 4, 1901; New Orleans, Louisiana Died: July 6, 1971; New York, New York Area of Achievement: Music Contribution: Armstrong's importance to the devel-

opment of jazz is inestimable. Whether played or sung, almost all aspects of jazz style and technique were influenced directly by his innovations of the 1920's. His concepts of range, tone, phrasing, and rhythm, along with his sophisticated choice of pitch, were widely imitated.