Grandson of slaves, a boy was born in a poor neighborhood 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 and his first gains were the coins that were thrown to them.
A Jewish family, Karnovsky, who had
immigrated from Lithuania to
the USA
, had pity for the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home. Initially
given 'work' in the House, to feed this hungry child. Then he remained and
slept in this Jewish family 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 Karnovskys gave him money to buy his first trumpet; as was the
custom in the Jewish families, they sincerely admired his musical talent.
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 he said that
it is in this family that he had learned "how to live real life and
determination. ''
This little boy was called Louis
Armstrong.
