Final answer:
Louis Armstrong gained his first touring experience with Fate Marable's riverboat band, which played on the steamboats that were crucial for transport along the Mississippi River.
Step-by-step explanation:
Louis Armstrong's early exposure to the world of touring and performance occurred in the riverboat band led by Fate Marable, associated with the Streckfus Steamboat Line. Navigating the rivers, particularly the Mississippi, during a period when steamboats were crucial for transportation (1815-1860), Marable's band played a pivotal role in shaping Armstrong's musical journey. This experience marked a significant chapter in Armstrong's career, allowing him to refine his musical prowess and develop his distinctive improvisational style.
These formative years not only contributed to Armstrong's individual artistry but also had a profound impact on the evolution of jazz. His skills, cultivated during the riverboat era, would later become a cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance and the broader musical landscape, solidifying Louis Armstrong's status as a groundbreaking and influential figure in the history of jazz.