sunflowerjess's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A jazzy, fun book to celebrate the life and music of Lil Armstrong. I'm so glad this book exists to shed light on Lil, who was just as talented as Louis Armstrong, plus fierce, driven, hard-working, smart, and courageous.
lrcartee's review
3.0
This biography tells the story of how Lil Hardin Armstrong became the first lady of jazz. She is primarily known as Louis Armstrong's wife but Lil was her own force to be reckoned with in the jazz scene. Brought up in Tennessee by her mom and grandmother, it was important to them that Lil get an education. She showed an early interest in playing piano and was taught by her school teacher. Later she got a job demonstrating pianos in a music store by playing 8 hours a day. She earned a reputation for playing swinging jazz and was offered a job with King Joe Oliver and his band. It was when she was with them that she met Louis Armstrong.
Lil was a fantastic jazz pianist and composer with some of her compositions still being played today.
It was gratifying to read about this important woman in jazz history who overcame racial and gender discrimination to make a name for herself in a time when it was hard for women to succeed in a man's world.
Lil was a fantastic jazz pianist and composer with some of her compositions still being played today.
It was gratifying to read about this important woman in jazz history who overcame racial and gender discrimination to make a name for herself in a time when it was hard for women to succeed in a man's world.
queerbooklover03's review
4.0
Lyrical, with a strong force at the center in the form of the ambitious, talented Lil Hardin.
katiegrrrl's review
5.0
What an amazing woman! We need more biographies about amazing women in history.
erine's review
5.0
This biography-in-verse is yet another example of a talented, smart, hard-working woman behind a famous man. Lil's story reminds me in many ways of both Eliza Hamilton and Johanna van Gogh, other women who poured their efforts into promoting a man's work while simultaneously drowning in obscurity themselves. Lil Hardin Armstrong was a talented pianist and jazz musician in her own right, but she also recognized the mad skills of her bandmate, Louis. He didn't have any particular ambition, but with encouragement from Lil, Louis Armstrong rose to shine among the jazz greats, leaving Lil in his dust.
Maybe this speaks more to my musical ignorance, but Lil Hardin Armstrong was a fascinating woman who should be more widely known.
Maybe this speaks more to my musical ignorance, but Lil Hardin Armstrong was a fascinating woman who should be more widely known.
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