Just for a Thrill: Lil Hardin Armstrong, First Lady of Jazz

Lil Armstrong has got to be the most amazing woman in American music history.From reading this book, I learned things about jazz history that I did not know. I never realized how dependent Louis Armstrong was on his wife for his success. Not only did she write his early songs, she shaped him into the world-class performer that he became in later years.I was also surprised to learn how sleazy the music busness was in those days. The author does an excellent job of documenting the birth of jazz in an atmosphere of crime and racial intolerance. Lil was victimized her entire life. Especially despicable is a certain man who took advantage of her good nature and her artistic talent. What he did to Lil is awful.If you are not moved by this story, you are not human.Great book....so when is the movie coming out?

James L. Dickerson focuses upon Lillian 'Lil' Hardin as ahighly educated, multi-talented, and prestigious individual fromstardom in the early part of the Twentieth Century--when it wasnot "cool" to be both a black female and a vocalist/instrumental-ist--to her last recording. The biographer depicts Lil as one whowas willing to neglect opportunities that would foster her ownadditional success in order to promote her husband, Louis Arm-strong in his musical endeavors as a soloist and instrumentalist. The conflicts in management, the shifts from city to city, andthe rocky marriage, which eventually involved "the other woman,"took a toll on the relationship between Lil and Louis. However,as Dickerson vividly emphasizes, Lil never lost her love for hermusical soulmate, with whom she nurtured their only child--jazz.

Just For A Thrill: Lil Hardin Armstrong, First Lady Of Jazz by James L. Dickerson is the energetic, informative and compelling biography of Lillian "Lil" Hardin (1898-1971), one of the most sought-after female jazz pianists in Chicago in her day and the wife of Louis Armstrong until their divorce in 1938. Lil Hardin's impressive musical career, trailblazing achievements and exciting love of music are all recorded in this first-class biography. Just For A Thrill is a welcome and enthusiastically recommended contribution to the growing library of biographies and memoirs of the men and women who significantly contributed to the development of jazz -- America's unique contribution to the world of music.

Little does the music world know of the remarkable talent of 'Lil' Hardin Armstrong and her contribution to jazz but, more importantly, her assistance in helping create a jazz legend, Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, to whom she was once married.Not only did she receive degrees in music from Chicago and New York colleges, but 'Lil' was the only member of Louis Armstrong's band to read music. She was an accomplished & composer in her 20's, which was an amazing feat for a woman in the early 1900's.Mr. Dickerson should be complimented for this work, since Lillian 'Lil' Hardin Armstrong seems to have failed, for whatever reason, to attract the public attention she is so worthy of."

Mention the name of Louis Armstrong and everyone knows who he is; talk about "The Duke" in jazz circles & everyone knows it's Duke Ellington; but, drop the name Lillian 'Lil' Hardin Armstrong and most jazz affectionadoes won't know who she is or how instrumental her contributions were to the world of jazz. Partly, this is the poignant story of unrequited love for Louis Armstrong, the man she loved throughout her entire life and the man who divorced her after 14 years of marriage.The author, James L. Dickerson, through his work has brought to the forefront a wealth of knowledge about a historical figure in the person of 'Lil' Hardin Armstrong whose contribution to the world of popular jazz has hitherto been unknown or unsung! "Just For A Thrill" (one of many songs written by 'Lil")is truly an insightful and outstanding read!!