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Louis in the Waif’s Home Band,
c. 1913.
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31 Dec. 1912
Fires a pistol in the street to celebrate New Year's Eve. A nearby policeman arrests Louis and the next day he is confined to the Colored Waif's Home for Boys.
1913-1914
While in the Waif's Home, Louis receives musical instruction from the band director, Peter Davis, and eventually becomes leader of the Waif's Home band.
1914-1917
Released from the Waif's Home (16 June 1914). Lives briefly with his father, William Armstrong, then returns to his mother. Joe Oliver, one of the finest trumpet players in New Orleans, becomes Louis's teacher and mentor. Performs in New Orleans's honky-tonks with local groups. Delivers coal and sells newspapers to help feed himself, his mother, and his sister.
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The Fate Marable orchestra, 1922.
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1918
Marries Daisy Parker, a prostitute from Gretna, Louisiana. Joe Oliver moves to Chicago and Louis takes his place in the Kid Ory band, a leading group in New Orleans.
May 1919
Band leader Fate Marable hires Louis to perform on river boats that traveled the Mississippi.
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