Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) was an American jazz trumpeter and singer. Born into poverty in New Orleans, he developed his trumpet- and cornet-playing skills in a variety of locations, including dance halls and a juvenile detention center. In the 1920s, he gained prominence playing in Chicago and New York, where he was recognized for his inventive playing style and gravelly vocals. He remained active his entire life, performing in hundreds of gigs a year, appearing in multiple films and television shows, and releasing his greatest hit, "Hello, Dolly!", in 1964.Photograph: Herman Hiller; restoration: Lise Broer