Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was a jazz pioneer and one of Americas best ambassadors of goodwill abroad. From his fabled beginning in a New Orleans orphanage, he was introduced to the trumpet by a band director. Early on he played with some New Orleans band but later left for the bustling musical city of Chicago. He went on to play with Joe Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, and Coleman Hawkins and later formed his own band. The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was introduced in 1974 to honor the outstanding jazz musician at each high school who exhibits superior dedication, musicianship, and creativity.