Lillian Hardin was born in 1898 in Memphis, raised by her mother who was a maid. In her childhood, she started playing with a found harmonium and an imaginary piano. Her mother paid for her music classes, later sending her to Fisk University. Armstrong’s mother objected to “the evils” of jazz and blues, but those were irresistible to Lil when the family moved to the musical hub of Chicago in 1918. She found a job at a music store and started playing with local bands. Lil Hardin grew to be a sought-after musician, playing piano, composing, and arranging. Nicknamed “Hot Miss Lil” she occupied a unique position in the male-dominated 1920s jazz world. When she met trumpeter Louis Armstrong, she was more established and contributed to building his career towards world fame. After 14 years of marriage, they drew apart, but stayed in professional friendship. Lil continued with her musical career – singing swing, leading eight bands, two of them all-female bands, and appearing on Broadway. She also studied in a tailoring school to be a fashion designer, taught French, and opened a restaurant in Chicago, called Lil Armstrong’s Swing Shack. Hardin Armstrong died from a heart attack on stage while playing the piano in Louis Armstrong Memorial Concert in Chicago Civic Center Plaza. Read more...