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Lil Hardin Armstrong
Timeline
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.
Born
Started playing piano
Graduated Kortrecht
High School
Won a piano
competition
Went to college at Fisk University
Moved to Chicago
Travels to San Fransisco w/ King Oliver's band
Returns to Chicago to play with Mae Brady's band at Dreamland Cafe
Composes and copyrights "Sweet Lovin Man"
May 28
Cheesecake, figs, and pinot noir.
Marries Louis Armstrong
Honeymoon: 3-week tour w/ Oliver Band
Buys home in Chicago for her and Louis
Lil's Dreamland Syncopators start residency at Dreamland
Earns teaching degree at Chicago Musical College
Performs recital for Louis Victor (professor at Chicago Musical College)
Earns post- graduate degree
Travels to California w/ Louis
Studies arranging w/ Zilner T. Randolph
Composes and copyrights "Just for a Thrill"
Tours New England w/ her Harlem Band
Creates new band w/ members of Stuff Smith's band
Becomes house pianist for Decca Records
Opens Lil's Armstrong's Swing Shack in Chicago
Join New York division of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club
Starts playing with Dixielanders of Lil Hardin Armstrong
Becomes a major donor for the Bud Billiken Parade in Chicago
Makes her New York debut as a clothing designer
Moves to Paris
Tours Europe w/ Sidney Bechet and Zutty Singleton
Returns to Chicago
Tours Canada w/ Red Saunders
Starts work on autobiography
King Oliver's Band records for Gennett
Red Onion Jazz Babies record for Gennett
First Hot 5 recording for Okeh
New Orleans Wanderers
for Columbia
Hot 5 records as Lil's Hotshots for Vocalion
First Hot 7 recording
Blue Yodel #9 w/ Jimmie Rodgers
Records "New Orleans in Paris" for Vogue Records
Lil Hardin and Her Swing Orchestra
Lil Hardin and Her Swing Orchestra
Johnny Dodds and his Chicago Boys
Lil Hardin and Her Swing Orchestra
Tiny Mayberry
Frankie Half-Pint Jaxon
Rosetta Howard
Alberta Hunter
Blue Lu Barker
Helen Proctor
Frankie Half-Pint Jaxon
Lil Armstrong and her Dixielanders
Peetie Wheatstraw
Lee Brown
Red Allen Orchestra
Zutty Singleton Orchestra
Johnnie Temple
Peetie Wheatstraw
Johnny Dodds Trio
Lizzie Miles
Johnny Dodds Orchestra
Lillian Armstrong
The Rippers
Lil "Brown Gal" Armstrong and her All Star Band
Chicago: Living Legends for Riverside Records
Tours the East Coast with Connie's Hot Chocolates
Takes first tailoring class in NYC
Featured on Chicago and All That Jazz
Regular stint at the Red Arrow
Composes and Copyrights Eastown Boogie
Composes and Copyrights Walkin on Air and other tunes with Avon Long
Composes and Copyrights You Let Me Down Easy and other tunes
Lil's mother, Dempsey passes away
Lil passes away just one month after Louis
Meets Louis Armstrong
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