The piece called “Big Fat Ma and Skinny Pa” was recorded by Richard M. Jones with the vocal chorus by the very popular Louis Armstrong on June 23, 1926 in Chicago, IL.  Louis Armstrong is arguably the most famous jazz musician of all time.  Although he wasn’t famous for his compositions, he was famous for his improvisations, both with the trumpet and vocally with a style called “scat”.  Scat was a new development from the American Jazz era which itself developed from the Southern United States and was based on rhythms and vocal music of West Africa.  African Americans took these influences and created a new type of music with syncopated melodies and swing rhythms that overtook not only the Southern United States but the whole country and even other countries around the world.

The reason I enjoy Louis Armstrong’s music so much is because it is innovative and original.  Who else has a voice like Louis Armstrong?  I think it’s the most unique sounding voice I’ve ever heard.  In this particular piece, “Big Fat Ma and Skinny Pa”  found here:  www.redhotjazz.com/Songs/Louie/Hot5/bigfat.ram, there are certain instruments heard including the cornet (very similar to the trumpet), a trombone, and piano and of course the vocal melodies of Louis Armstrong.  This piece is just upbeat and honestly, it makes me smile when I listen to it.  I imagine jazz clubs from back in the 1920s and can visualize dance and can understand why they feel the need to dance to music like this!