It may come as a surprise even to devoted Jazz fans but Louis Armstrong had ties to Lithuania.
A grandson of slaves, a boy was born in a poor neighbourhood of New Orleans called the “Back of Town.” Life of poverty and early exploration of his aptitude for music led him to perform on the streets. The boy dropped out of school to earn money for his and his family’s living in fifth grade, he was working as a delivery boy for the Karnofskys.
The Jewish family, Karnofsky, who had immigrated from Lithuania to the United States, took pity on the 7-year-old boy and brought him into their home. Initially, he was given some ‘housework’, so he can be fed. There, in the Karnofsky house, he remained, finding home under the roof of Jewish-Lithuanian family, where for the first time in his life, he was treated with kindness. Before bed Mrs. Karnofsky sang him a Russian lullaby that he would sing along with her. Later, he learned to sing and play several Russian and Jewish songs. Over time, the boy became the adopted son of this family. The Karnofskys gave him money to buy his first musical instrument; as it was customary in the Jewish families. They sincerely admired and encouraged his musical talent. Later, when he became a professional musician and composer, he used these Hebrew melodies in such compositions as “St. James’s Hospital” and “Come Down, Moses”.
The little black boy grew up and wrote a book about this Jewish family, who adopted him in 1907. And he proudly spoke fluent Yiddish. In memory of this family and until the end of his life, he wore the Star of David and said that in this family he learned “to live a real life and determination.” This little boy’s name was Louis Armstrong.
The family was from a tiny village of Karnave on the Nemanus (Memel) river bank.
Louis Armstrong, wearing Star of David.
Source: Louis Armstrong + the Jewish Family in New Orleans, La., the Year of 1907
