Red River Scrapbook
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. announces details of 9th Annual Satchmo SummerFest
By media release
Jul 6, 2009

New Orleans, Louisiana – French Quarter Festivals, Incorporated (FQFI) will celebrate the ninth annual Satchmo SummerFest July 30 through August 2 at Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint in the French Quarter.  This free family-friendly Jazz Festival is dedicated to the life, music and legacy of New Orleans’ native son, Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong.  

Live, Local Music and Family Activities 

Two stages of music on the grounds of the Mint, and one indoor stage will feature traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, and brass bands.  Indoor children’s activities include collage art projects, Zulu coconut and second-line umbrella decorating, a daily children's second line parade and more.  In addition, screenings of Armstrong animations and family friendly films in which he appeared will be shown inside the Old U.S. Mint. 

Fascinating Speakers, Seminars, Discussions, Exhibits 

Inside the Mint, an impressive array of speakers will host seminars, discussions, music, and movies.  Presenters include Professor Robert O'Meally of Columbia University; George Avakian - Armstrong's record producer and friend; Michael Cogswell of the Armstrong House and Archives; noted Armstrong scholar and Grammy award winner Dan Morgenstern; writer and Armstrong film collector Ricky Riccardi; and Yoshio Toyama, aka "Satchmo of Japan", who will also perform with his Dixie Saints on the Traditional Jazz Stage.   

Satchmo SummerFest Keynote Speaker, Professor Robert O’Meally of Columbia University, will speak on Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, 2nd floor.   This event is free and open to the public. 

In honor of Satchmo SummerFest, the Louisiana State Museum has brought in a photo exhibit to the Old U.S. Mint. ‘Jam Session: America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World’ http://www.meridian.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=240&Itemid=153  will be exhibited in the Old during Satchmo Summerfest - free and open to the public. It contains 100 photographs along with narrative, from a time when the U.S. State Department sent famous jazz musicians (including Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and other greats) all over the world to act as ambassadors for the United States. 

Happy Birthday Satchmo! 

Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with Armstrong’s actual birthday on August 4th.  Armstrong often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day in the USA), a date that has been noted in many biographies.  Armstrong died in 1971.  It wasn't until the mid-1980s that his true birth date of August 4, 1901 was discovered.   

Merchandise including limited edition prints by Jackson Square artist, Stuart South, as well as books, Satchmo SummerFest t-shirts, and merchandise, will be available for sale at the festival and online.  More than 25 food and beverage booths will be open at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint and will feature authentic local cuisine, drinks, Abita beer, and Plum Street Snowballs to create “Red Bean Alley.” 

Sponsors and Community Partners for the 9th annual Satchmo SummerFest include: The State of Louisiana – Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Abita Brewing Company, Louisiana State Museum, Louis Armstrong International Airport , Higher Ground Relief Fund, WWL-TV, nola.com, offBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Jazz National Park, New Orleans Levee, WWOZ, NewOrleans.com, New Orleans Jazz Centennial Celebration, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, North Rampart Main Street, Inc., Aidan Gill for Men, the Contemporary Art Center (CAC), and Young Leadership Council. 

For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.