Comparative Analysis of Louis Armstrong Vs Bix Beiderbecke

There were many greats in the jazz music genre. Two of the most iconic artists in that jazz world were Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke. Although they were very different in their music style and careers, they both were able to contribute to the diverse jazz genre. Louis Armstrong was more popular, had a longer musical career, and played a more up-tempo type of jazz. Beiderbecke flew under the popularity radar and played a calm and whimsical form of jazz. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that both artists made huge contributions to the jazz genre and the direction that it has gone in. In this paper, I will discuss the background and musical influences of both artists. Next, I will discuss the differences in musical styles and philosophies of the artists. Then, I will touch on the differences in the political and social conditions that influenced their careers. Finally, I will conclude with how all of these components influenced the popularity that they were able to obtain.

Louis Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. He was raised by his mother in a very dangerous neighborhood, which caused him to get into trouble early in his life. On New Year’s Eve in 1912, he was arrested and sent to the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys. This would be the place that allowed him to discover his musical talent and continuously develop his skill in music. While Louis Armstrong was in the home, Peter Davis took it upon himself to teach Armstrong how to properly play the cornet. After much practice, Louis Armstrong became the leader of the Waif’s home brass band. His time on this band open his eyes to the possibility of becoming a professional musician. Eventually, Louis Armstrong found his mentor Joe “King” Oliver, and Armstrong became one of the most in demand cornetists in town. He often played on Mississippi river boats. In 1922 Armstrong began to play in king Oliver’s band, which allowed him to get exposure through his two-cornet breaks. However, in 1925, Armstrong began making records under his own name. These records are now some of the most influential in jazz. Eventually, Armstrong became very popular on radio, in films and with his recordings, which allowed him to tour the country. Finally, Armstrong began fronting a small group, Louis Armstrong and his All Stars. They grew popularity globally. Being the intelligent person he was, Armstrong did not only use the stage for his musical talents, but he also became an avid civil rights advocate. Unfortunately, Armstrong had a heart attack in 1959 which resulted in him taking time off from music. When he tried to return, his body couldn’t handle it and he eventually ended up dying in his sleep in 1971.

Bix Beiderbecke was born in 1903. His father was a manager and his mother was a musician who played piano and was an organist for their church. His mother was the first person to spark his interest in music. Beiderbecke had his first gig in 1921 at Haynes dancing school. Eventually he left his town of Lake Forest, and he began playing with several bands around Chicago and Davenport. Eventually, he joined the Wolverine Orchestra in 1924, which was short-lived because he left the orchestra the same year and joined the Jean Goldkette Orchestra. Beiderbecke continued to jump around from orchestra to orchestra, because in 1927, Bix joined the Whiteman Orchestra which was led by Paul Whiteman. Being part of this particular Orchestra allowed him to gain immense popularity because the orchestra had its own train, was on national radio and played in every major concert hall in the United States. Beiderbecke also wrote the compositions In a Mist, Candlelight, In the Dark and Flashes, and Davenport Blues. Unfortunately, Beiderbecke’s popularity caused many people to buy him drinks. Due to his charm, he was unable to turn down any gifts, which led to him becoming dependent on alcohol. His alcohol addiction caused a disease named Lobar Pneumonia, which led to his 1931 death.

There were many differences between the musical styles and philosophies of the two artists. Armstrong played very unique, quick and exciting tempos with fiery improvisations. This exciting musical style is called hot jazz. Hot jazz is a blend of ragtime, blues, and brass band marches. Through Louis Armstrong’s music, you could hear “his intelligence, imagination, and daring sense of form”. Listening to Louis Armstrong’s music will never allow someone to become bored. His music constantly keeps you on your toes and excited. Louis Armstrong focused heavily on his rhythm, mastery of time, and innovation in his intricate and astonishing improvisations. Beiderbecke on the other hand, had influences from both jazz and classical music. Beiderbeck’s music reflected a more cool, mellow and reflective form of jazz compared to hot and up-tempo jazz that Armstrong played. Beiderbecke played more tranquil and relaxed temples which consisted of a lighter tone. Much of his music contained former arrangements compared to Armstrong’s improvisations. Beiderbecke was a very melodic player who played “chime-like” notes, played like every note counted and was able to portray immense emotions.

There was a definite difference in the political and social conditions that shaped both Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke’s musical careers. The most obvious difference between the two artists is that Louis Armstrong was black, and Bix Beiderbecke was white. This caused Armstrong to have more oppressions stacked up against him. However, because Beiderbecke was white, he was never able to fully express the true emotion of the roots of jazz music. In addition, Beiderbecke was unable to be a civil rights advocate based on first-hand experiences, which, in my opinion, gave his music less meaning. As far as the political standpoint, both artists seemed to come from very different socioeconomic backgrounds. Armstrong grew up in a very impoverished and dangerous neighborhood, which caused him to get in trouble often. With this lack of financial stability, and Armstrong has very little to rely on in terms of resources to help him gain exposure and to help him build his skill. Armstrong had to seek out his own resources and had to prove himself with his skill. On the other hand, Beiderbecke grew up having been able to go to many different schools, including a performing arts school. Beiderbecke definitely had an advantage, because his family’s financial stability allowed him to have more resources easily accessible to him. Finally, one of the last major differences between the two is their level of education. With Armstrong’s history of getting in trouble with the law and lack of money, he was only able to obtain a fifth-grade education. Beiderbecke was able to graduate high school and attend the University of Iowa for a period of time. This difference in education levels also influenced the access to resources that each of the artist had. All in all, both artists had very different components that influenced their musical careers. While Beiderbecke had more access to resources, Armstrong seem to have more determination because his musical career was connected to a much deeper emotional meaning.

Finally, all of the components discussed in this paper influenced the life and musical career of both artists, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke. Louis Armstrong had widespread popularity and Bix Beiderbecke had more relative obscurity. One of the reasons I believe Armstrong gained more popularity is because he had more meaning behind his music, so it touched the hearts of many more people. In addition, Armstrong used his platform for much more than music. He advocated for things he believed in, such as civil rights, which also allowed him to touch more lives and made him a huge icon in the music business as well as society as a whole. Louis Armstrong also had many popular mentors who were able to teach him new skills. Because he was taught by some of the best of the best, he was able to build his skill to be the best and the people that he worked with allowed his name to get exposure to a wider group of individuals. Also, while Louis Armstrong did work in some groups, he was not afraid to venture off on his own to make music under his own name. Making music under his own name is what made his legacy so unforgettable. Beiderbecke on the other hand, played most of his music as part of orchestras, which he was usually inconsistent with, as he was constantly jumping from orchestra to orchestra. Finally, I believe the last component that contributed to the artists’ differences in popularity is that Louis Armstrong’s musical career was much longer than Beiderbecke’s. Unfortunately, Beiderbecke’s career was short-lived due to his early and unexpected death. Armstrong had a longer musical career, which allowed him to build more global popularity.

References

• “Biography.” Louis Armstrong Home Museum, https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/biography/.
• “Bix Biography.” Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Society, http://www.bixsociety.org/bio.html.
• French, David. “Bix Beiderbecke: A Cure for the ‘Davenport Blues’?” JazzTimes, 1 July 2006, https://jazztimes.com/news/bix-beiderbecke-a-cure-for-the-davenport-blues/.
• Ramsey, Doug. “Louis Armstrong: The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings.” JazzTimes, 1 Oct. 2000, https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/louis-armstrong-the-complete-hot-five-and-hot-seven-recordings/.