Lovin' Louis Armstrong
Satchmo SummerFest marked its 24th year with a star-studded line up of local musicians and jazz royalty at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint.
The annual celebration of all things Satchmo was a weekend dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of the late great jazz legend and New Orleans-native Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Admission was—as always—free, and also focused on contemporary and traditional jazz and brass bands. Performers included John Boutté, Doreen Ketchins, Nayo Jones, Big Chief Donald Harrison, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Wendell Brunious, and Kermit Ruffins, who closed the festival Sunday night.
James Andrews kicked off the weekend with an opening party to unveil the Jazz Museum's newest exhibition, "It All Started in Jane Alley: Louis Armstrong in New Orleans," highlighting the early days of Louis Armstrong with rooms guiding patrons through his parents' lives, his childhood, and fledgling days discovering music to his rise to superstardom.
Annually on the first weekend in August to commemorate Louis Armstrong's August 4 birthday, festival goers brave the heat to dance and sing along at Satchmo SummerFest, produced by by French Quarter Festival, Inc. The multi-day musical event is a community festival that also featured note-worthy seminars along with some of the finest local cuisine located in booths opened throughout the festival weekend.
Legendary jazz innovator Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901 and became an instant music sensation during the earlier decades of the 20th century. Armstrong, known by his nickname Satchmo, was an inventive trumpeter with a charismatic and dynamic stage presence and a one of a kind raspy singing voice. Satchmo gracefully transcended the music of his era into the jazz genre that is heard today.
Ricky Riccardi returned for the 16th straight year to present historical points of interest largely through his association with the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona Queens, NY. This year's presentations were on Satchmo's apex of success with the song, "Hello, Dolly!" and the newly released Louis in London album—one of Pops' most storied and well-preserved performances toward the end of his life.
Mark the first weekend in August for 2026 to celebrate Satchmo SummerFest's 25th year!
