A grandson of slaves, a boy was born in a poor neighbourhood of New
Orleans known as the "Back of Town." His father abandoned the family
when the child was an infant. His mother became a prostitute and the
boy and his sister had to live with their grandmother.
Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other
kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans . His first gains were
coins that were thrown to them.
A Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the
USA , had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home.
Initially giving 'work' in the house, to feed this hungry child.
There he remained and slept in this Jewish family's home where, for
the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness and
tenderness.
When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian Lullaby that he
would sing with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several
Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, this boy became the adopted son
of this family.
The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument; as
was the custom in the Jewish families. They sincerely admired his
musical talent.
Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used
these Jewish melodies in compositions, such as St. James Infirmary and
Go Down Moses.
The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family
who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family and until the
end of his life, he wore a star of David and said that in this family,
he had learned "how to live real life and determination."
You might recognize his name. This little boy was called: Louis
"Satchmo" Armstrong. Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish!
And "Satchmo" is Yiddish for "Big Cheeks"!!!
And I bet you did not know any of this.
Orleans known as the "Back of Town." His father abandoned the family
when the child was an infant. His mother became a prostitute and the
boy and his sister had to live with their grandmother.
Early in life he proved to be gifted for music and with three other
kids he sang in the streets of New Orleans . His first gains were
coins that were thrown to them.
A Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the
USA , had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home.
Initially giving 'work' in the house, to feed this hungry child.
There he remained and slept in this Jewish family's home where, for
the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness and
tenderness.
When he went to bed, Mrs. Karnovsky sang him a Russian Lullaby that he
would sing with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several
Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, this boy became the adopted son
of this family.
The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument; as
was the custom in the Jewish families. They sincerely admired his
musical talent.
Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used
these Jewish melodies in compositions, such as St. James Infirmary and
Go Down Moses.
The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family
who had adopted him in 1907. In memory of this family and until the
end of his life, he wore a star of David and said that in this family,
he had learned "how to live real life and determination."
You might recognize his name. This little boy was called: Louis
"Satchmo" Armstrong. Louis Armstrong proudly spoke fluent Yiddish!
And "Satchmo" is Yiddish for "Big Cheeks"!!!
And I bet you did not know any of this.
