ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the lives of two women who were dedicated supporters of their celebrated husbands and whose intervention in their careers, in what may be defined as patronage, undoubtedly changed the course of jazz music.
Perhaps the most overlooked woman in American music was Lil Hardin Armstrong (1898–1971), who believed in her husband, Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) even more than he believed in himself. She was also a pioneering female jazz pianist of many talents and a collaborator with Satchmo, which culminated in the “Hot Five” recordings. She arguably contributed more to American music than any other woman before or after her arrival on the scene.
Helen Joyner (1926–1996) intervened and saved the career of trumpet prodigy Lee Morgan (1938–1972) in 1967, only to take his life in 1972. She was a selfless and dedicated partner and became his common-law wife and took his name. There is every reason to believe his life would have ended in 1967 without her interest and assistance during rehabilitation. The fact that Morgan returned to the bandstand and recorded eight albums after her intervention in his life must not be forgotten.
Statement on Gender Identification: In this paper, I will be referencing the various musicians, authors and other persons named as female/she/her/hers, male/he/him/his. I identify as he/him.
