Just for a Thrill

Along with Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, Lillian "Lil" Hardin (1898-1971) was arguably the third most crucial figure in the creation of popular jazz. Born in Memphis, with strong roots in Mississippi, Lil was, by her early twenties the most sought-after jazz pianist in Chicago, playing first with Freddie Keppard's watershed Creole Jazz Band and later with King Oliver's world-famous Creole Jazz Band. She was already well established in Chicago as a pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader before she met and married Louis Armstrong (1898-1971) in 1924. Beyond her musical contributions to Louis as a songwriter, arranger, and pianist, Lil launched, guided and promoted his solo career. Her tireless efforts and musical craftsmanship (she was the only one in Louis's band who could read music) made possible his now legendary Hot Fives and Hot Sevens recordings. Later, after she divorced Louis in 1938, she established her own successful solo career. In 1931, in Harlem, she spearheaded the first all-female jazz band. Over the years, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Billie Holiday, Ringo Starr, Peggy Lee and others recorded her songs.