On leaving the boy's home in his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician. He played with bands in parades club, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River. At that time, the city was defined by the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians. Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal. He was the best student of the great cornetist and trumpeter Joe Oliver, and played second cornet in his famous band, King oliver's Creole Jazz Band