Louis Armstrong in Bessie Smith are best known for the influence they had on Jazz and what role?

Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith are pivotal figures in the history of jazz, each contributing significantly to its development and popularization. Armstrong, as a groundbreaking trumpeter and vocalist, introduced innovative techniques and improvisation that shaped jazz's melodic and rhythmic foundations. Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," brought emotional depth and storytelling to her performances, influencing jazz vocal styles and paving the way for future artists. Together, they helped elevate jazz as a major cultural force in America, blending blues and improvisation into a vibrant art form.