alma

Alma Begic (Little Louis puts a towel around his neck, just like his mentor did. He glances at himself final time in the mirror prior to his first gig with the Joe Oliver Band. He grabs the instrument by its top, and heads on to the stage. The curtains shift out the way, Little Louis appears.) I know I’ve got the talent, although how to convince the crowd that I really don’t play the way I appear to the eye. I have my (tired) tan shoes on, my country-boy brown box back suit that had seen better days, my all time favorite straw hat, and of course that towel of mine just tops of the outfit. Not anything compared to “The King”, who was wearing a (n) expensive-like tuxedo, white wing tipped formal shirt and black bow tie. I felt embarrassed standing to a big shot such as Joe Oliver. Still he had no problem with my dress-code. On the other hand the crowd gave me a peculiar look, shortly as I was spotted walking in. (Recognizing no one, Armstrong walks across the stage looking down.) I'm so nervous and thrilled to lastly be here, in Lincoln Gardens! I have never performed in such a nice place like this. A whole lot different from the alleys, and the raggedy halls that I was used to. (Sadly, Louis mentions his past) I've been around alcholics and homeless throughout my childhood. My so called father left us for another women when I was a little kid. So, I lived with my mother and sister Betrice,helping them out by, cleanning shoes, and delivering milk to whorehouses. This way I listened to many of the famous musicians before my time. The whore houses were located next to the place where they performed, so I got to see action in both directions. ( Finally it was my time to shine, and my thoughts of performing cannot be described at this moment. I never knew for such an exciting world) I look at Joe Oliver, but notice him smiling. That smirk of his always had an encouraging influence on me. (Louis begins to loosen up a bit) Oliver was like a father I never had, and I was essentially his “son.” Even if I wasn’t the best performer he would not be angry at me. We had that special connection. He invited me to dinner with his wife, as if I was part of the family. (Armstrong looks back at the time, but realizes there’s no time, and gets back to the show) No pressure at all I think to my self. I will play as if nobody is watching, and blow their minds away with the tunes of my cornet. This sure is one main part of my life. Either I start off my career right or just stick with rag time. Does my race have nothing to do with it? I question myself. Will I not make it because of my dark color? Questions stream through my head, but what mattered was to give off a first-class impression, I tell my self. (Louis gets his possessions together for the last time before his performance) Left to right stands, Johnny Dodds (clarinet), Honore Dutrey (trombone), Baby Dodds(drummer) Joe Oliver(cornet), Johnny St. Cyr(banjo), Johnny Dodds (clarinet) and I(cornet) kneeling in forefront, and Lil Hardin, by the piano. She looks astonishing, concise wavy hair, red bulging cheeks, wide dark eyes, and those full sized mauve lips. She’s wearing a close-fitting dress, ankles shown, and her fingers so delicate, and infantile. I cannot help but gaze at her. (Armstrong marries Lil Hardin, soon after they met) We’re all assembled in one group, waiting for the dancers to finish of their show. Joe winks at me, and starts playing. I follow in a higher pitch, and keep on kneeling backwards and forwards as the tunes pass through my head. Other band members tag along. Crowd was up and hippy, getting their groove on, on the dance floor. Despite the frustration caused by the Great Depression, folks now found a way to get pessimistic stuff out of their minds, and have a good time. We played songs such as, “Mecca Flats Blues,” “Weather Bird Rag,” “Alligator Hop,” and “Royal Garden Blues.” No musical sheet was required for me to follow, for the reason that when I perceive a sound once, I do not forget it. It’s been an advantage since my childhood. As well as a huge benefit in the music industry, and many prominent instrumentalists invited me to play in their bands. My first performance with the Joe Oliver Band was a gigantic triumph, including New Orleans, Chicago, New York and throughout northeast United States. Shortly, I took seat of “the King”. With many more adventures ahead of me.

Erica: There's not very much backround info like about the band to understand it. It seems like its information theres not meaning with it. Theres not detail like how he's really feeling a few min. before the show.

Zach- I think this is a great peice, but what is a little background behind the person?

JULES- Great piece as everyone else say you do need more info about him and what is going on in the begining? Just a little confusing!

Ms. Schoen -- Nicely done, I like the content of the piece. You need to work on the sentence structure and grammar here and there. I don't really need to know who the people are and what they play. Give more depth with stage directions and follow through with your thoughts. This is a nice piece and I get that this his first big performance with a band that matters but you do need to work on your stage directions in some areas. Make sure they are things we can see happening right then and there...not the future.