Louis Armstrong, world-famous Black jazz musician, was born in New Orleans, July 4, 1900. His parents separated about a year later, and he was left in the care of his father's mother. Later he went to live with his mother and younger sister.

He attended school for five years, but had to drop out to help support the family. During the day he sold newspapers and worked for both a junkman and a coal man. At night he sang on the streets in a boys' quartet and obtained money by donation. His nickname at this time was Dipper.

On New Year's Eve, when he was thirteen years old, he was arrested for shooting a revolver on the street and was placed in the Colored Waifs' Home for Boys. At this home he came under the loving care of Captain Joseph Jones and his wife Manuella, who helped him in every way possible.

Captain Jones taught Louis how to play a bugle and made him bugler for the home. Later he loaned Louis a cornet so he could play in the band at the home. Soon Louis became boy-leader of the band and led it on many parades about the city. In this way he obtained a real start in music.

From the dust jacket