Lil Hardin Armstrong | Nerd Mountain

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While researching Lil, I found it difficult to keep all of the recording dates and major life events straight in my mind. I created a timeline to help me keep the chronology in order. This is definitely not comprehensive- in particular the copyright dates- but it gives you a rough idea of the major events in her fascinating life. Start to finish, she kept busy!

Most of the graphics have a link or a hover effect. To truly ascend to the next base camp, one must click through all of the images.

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May 28

Cheesecake, figs, and pinot noir.

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1898

Born Memphis, Tennessee

Started piano lessons

1902

1912

Graduated Kortrecht High School

Won piano competition

1914

1915

Went to Fisk University

Moved to Chicago

1918

1917

Hired to play with Lawrence Duhé's New Orleans Creole Orchestra

Travels to San Fransisco with King Olver

1921

1922

Meets Louis Armstrong when he joins King Oliver's band
Copyrights Sweet Lovin' Man

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King Oliver's Band records for Gennett & in June records Lil's tune Sweet Lovin Man

1923

1924

Marries Louis Armstrong and honeymoons on a three week tour with the King Oliver Band. Also records on Gennett with Red Onion Jazz Babies.

Buys house in Chicago for her and Louis. First recording by the Hot 5 on Okeh Records.

1925

1926

Lil's Dreamland Syncopators start residency at Dreamland. New Orleans Wanderers record for Columbia. The Hot Five records as Lil's Hotshots for Vocalion.

Hot Seven record in May. Records with Johnny Dodds Trio

1927

1928

Earns teaching degree at Chicago Musical College.

Recital for Louis Victor.
Records with Johnny Dodds Orchestra.

1929

1930

Records with Lizzie Miles.
Travels to California with Louis.

Records Blue Yodel #9 with Jimmie Rodgers.
Studies arranging with Zilner T Randolph.

1931

1932

Composes and copyrights Just for a Thrill.
Plays the Lafayette Theater in New York with Lil's All Girl Orchestra.
Records with Clarence Williams and Eva Taylor

Tours New England w/ her Harlem Band.
Plays Apollo Theater with her All Girl Orchestra.

1934

1935

Creates band with Stuff Smith's former crew.

Becomes house pianist for Decca Records.

1936

1938

Opens Lil Armstrong's Swing Shack in Chicago.
Her mother, Dempsey, dies.
Records with Johnny Dodds, her own Swing Orchestra and Tiny Mayberry.
Composes and copyrights Everything's Wrong Nothing's Right and Safely Locked in My Heart.

Join New York division of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club. Records with Frankie Half Pint Jaxon, Rosetta Howard, Alberta Hunter, Blue Lu Barder and Helen Proctor.
Composes and copyrights Walkin on Air with Avon Long. Composes and copyrights Clip Joint.

1939

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1940

Takes first tailoring class.
Records with her Dixielanders, Frankie Half Pint Jaxon, Peetie Wheatstraw, Lee Brown, Red Allen Orchestra, Zutty Singleton Orchestra, and Johnnie Temple.
Composes and copyrights You Run Your Mouth and I'll Run My Business, We're Even Steven, Sugar Boogie, Marked Woman and You Ain't Had No Blues.

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Records with Peetie Wheatstraw.
Composes and copyrights I Went Back Home and Winds from the South.

1941

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1942

Becomes a major donor for the Bud Billikin Parade in Chicago.

Composes and copyrights You Let Me Down Easy.

1943

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1944

Composes and copyrights Rock It, East Town Boogie, Little Daddy Blues and You're Still Alright With Me.

Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong and her All Star Band

1945

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1948

Debuts as a clothing designer.

Moves to Paris.
Records with Sidney Bechet and Zutty Singleton.

1952

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1953

Tours Europe with Sidney Bechet and Zutty Singleton.

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Begins regular stint at the Red Arrow just outside of Chicago.

1954

1955

Tours Canada with Red Saunders

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Performs in Chicago with new group: Lil and Her International Jazz Kings.

1956

1958

Starts steady at Sheridan Plaza Hotel.

Chris Albertson convinces her to make recording for Riverside Records.

1961

1962

Is featured on the Chicago Living Legends television program.
Begins working on autobiography.

Louis dies in July.
Lil dies in August while performing at a Louis tribute concert.

1971

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