ing for Kid Ory, but yearned to play for King Oliver, his idol. Louis started to find out where King Oliver was playing and would show up and ask to carry his bag and help out with other things. King Oliver started to help Louis out with his cornet. King Oliver recognized his talent and gave Lois jobs that he couldn't take.Storyville had closed and there was a mass exodus of musicians going North to Chicago. King Oliver Louis' mentor left while Louis stayed behind; he still didn't earn enough from his music to support himself. He took over King Olivers position in Kid Ory's band and made a name for himself around Chicago. He landed a job in Fat Marable's Orchestra and finally learned to read music. This also meant that Louis had to leave New Orleans in order to travel up and down the Mississippi to play on the riverboats. For a couple of years he played on these river boats, but felt restricted by Fat Marables formula for success in the music business. “Louis now wanted to play his own music but, the boss would not allow that aboard the river boats." (Bergreen P. 168) Just as Louis was getting tired of his stay on the riverboats, what he was waiting for arrived. An invitation from King Oliver to join his band in Chicago. Louis soon became a great asset to King Olivers' band. Louis and Oliver were meant to play together, Louis and Joe complimented each other when they played. Drummer George Wettling said, “He (Oliver) and Louis Armstrong had some breaks they played together that I've never heard played since. I don't know how they knew what was coming up next, but they would play those breaks and never miss." (Jones & Chilton p.60)For Armstrong his years with King Oliver were inspiring. Armstrong confessed later that his days with the Creole Jazz band were the most thrilling days of his life. King Oliver took Louis and molded him into the next great trumpet player. Louis was well known throughout Chicago and people ca...
