's band, a band that traveled up and down the Mississippi River on a riverboat (Iverson 20). In 1918, Armstrong married a prostitute named Daisy Parker. After this short-lived marriage, Armstrong had three more wives. His second wife, whom he married in 1924, was Lil Hardin, a piano player who played in Armstrong's band during the 1920s. His third wife was Alpha Smith, a woman who had been his friend for many years before marrying him. Unfortunately, their marriage in 1938 was not as successful as their friendship and they were divorced in 1940 (Tanenhaus 105). In 1942, Armstrong married Lucille Wilson, a woman who had previously danced at the Cotton Club. Lucille stood by Louis at all times without interfering in his "music or business affairs" (Collier 145). With Lucille, Armstrong at last found his life-long companion.
Armstrong's career as a musician began taking off in 1922, when Joe Oliver invited him to move to Chicago and play second cornet in his band. Armstrong soon began playing with other musicians, not only in Chicago but also in New York City. He also began making records during this period. In the mid-1920s, he formed his own band, a quintet known as the Hot Five Band. Later, when he added two more members, the band became known as the Hot Seven Band. Some time during the 1920s, Armstrong switched from playing the cornet to playing the trumpet. Apparently, he made this switch beca
...