Carroll students learn about 'father of jazz'
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

L. Armstrong

Sounds of jazz filled the gym at Carroll Elementary School when Book Readers & Horn Blowers presented a program on Louis Armstrong.

The brass quintet and narrator Charlie Dee focused on Armstrong's early life, based on the book, "If I Only Had a Horn: Young Louis Armstrong," by Roxanne Orgill.

Armstrong grew up in poverty in New Orleans, and rose to greatness as a jazz musician.

Reading from Orgill's book, the narrator related the time that young Louis and his sister, "Mama Lucy," went to "Uncle Ike's" at mealtime. The two of them plus the other six children in the house all ate rice and beans out of one pot. Another time, at home, the family meal was fish head stew.

The streets of New Orleans were alive with music, and Louis was singing on the street corner as a young boy. Before he was a teenager, Louis was sent to a home for poor boys who got into trouble. The home had a band, and Louis learned to play several instruments, including a bugle.

Famous cornetist Joe "King" Oliver became Armstrong's mentor, and Armstrong later played in his band.

Learning how it's done Ty Gray tries out the trombone at the "instrument petting zoo" at Carroll Elementary. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Louis had several nicknames throughout his life. One of the early ones was Dippermouth. He later was known as Satchmo or Pops.

One of the songs he learned as a kid was "If I Only Had a Horn." Carroll Elementary students sang this song several times, with the words printed on a screen.

Throughout the show, images of Armstrong were shown on the screen. The quintet performed music that Armstrong played in the 1920s.

Some of these songs were "West End Blues," "Struttin' With Some Barbecue," "Gut Bucket Blues," "Home Sweet Home," and "Cornet Chop Suey."

The narrator told the students that Armstrong was not only a famous trumpet player and vocalist, but was a life-long reader and letter writer. The musician also was a published author and film actor.

Armstrong recorded hit songs for five decades and entertained audiences all over the world. He died in 1971.

Program on Louis Armstrong Book Readers & Horn Blowers presented a program on Louis Armstrong at Carroll Elementary School. Musicians Brad Koser and Gail Lewis are shown in front of the group's new backdrop. Other members of the brass quintet are Melissa Williams, Michele Robeson Howard, and Mark Murray. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald

Book Readers and Horn Blowers typically present programs on famous people and the music of their era. They also educate students on the brass instruments and give prizes for correctly answering questions from the narrative presentation. Through a sponsorship, the group gives books to the school library. It also donates a copy of the featured book as part of a Curriculum Enhancement Packet. The packet is given to the music teacher and shared with other classroom teachers.

After the program, the musicians conduct an "instrument petting zoo." At Carroll, the "zoo" is for fifth graders. They each get to try out an instrument.

The Oct. 19 program at CES was presented with new techno/visual equipment. Thanks to a grant from NCHS (North Central Health Services), the group has new backdrop panels, rear-projection screen, a multi-media projector and laptop computer.

Based in Flora, Book Readers and Horn Blowers present programs to elementary school students throughout north-central Indiana. Their sponsors are the Indiana Arts Commission, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Salin Bank, Flora Psi Iota Xi, Half-Price Books, and Paige Music.