NEW ORLEANS – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) announced a major move for Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron today. The 16th annual event will take place in Jackson Square from Friday, August 5, through Sunday, August 7, 2016.
FQFI reps said the move will help FQFI achieve its goal to grow Satchmo SummerFest, which began in 2001 as a way to commemorate Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong's 100th birthday. Since its inception, the event, previously held at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint, has turned into New Orleans' premier traditional jazz festival, annually attracting an average of 40,000 attendees.
"As we celebrate the Festival's 16th anniversary, and Louis Armstrong's 116th birthday, we are thrilled to move into New Orleans' most beautiful, iconic park,” Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., said. “Like Louis Armstrong, Jackson Square is beloved and integral to New Orleans' history and culture. The new location, along with our incredible symposium panelists, traditional jazz musicians, great restaurants and special events will make this year's event incredibly memorable, historic and high profile."
Satchmo SummerFest is held annually on the weekend closest to August 4, Louis Armstrong's birthday.
Three Full Days of Music and a New Indoor Stage
FQFI reps said attendees can look forward to festival fare from some of New Orleans' best restaurants, unique cultural events like a traditional jazz mass and second lines, a Trumpet Tribute and Birthday Party for Louis Armstrong and children's activities. Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron also will bring three full days of music, featuring dozens of New Orleans' finest traditional and contemporary jazz musicians and brass bands.
Introducing the New 'Back o' Town' Stage
This year Satchmo SummerFest grows with the addition of the new 'Back o' Town' stage located inside the air-conditioned Louisiana State Museum's Arsenal (600 St. Peter St., 2nd floor). The 'Back o' Town' will feature a dance floor, NOLA Jitterbugs, and live dance music on Saturday and Sunday. Inside Jackson Square, two additional stages (the 'Red Beans and Ricely Yours Stage' and 'Cornet Chop Suey Stage') will provide three days of musical performances. The lineup includes Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Kermit Ruffins, Brass-A-Holics, Catherine Russell (debut), Yoshio Toyama and the Dixie Saints, Jeremy Davenport, Trumpet Tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring James Andrews, Victor Goines (debut), Wendell Brunious, and many more.
View the full music schedule here
Satchmo Symposium to Include Pulitzer Panel Celebrating the 100-Year Anniversary of the Pulitzer
The Satchmo Symposium, three days of fascinating seminars with internationally-respected Satchmo scholars and musicians, will be held inside Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré. FQFI reps said this year's Symposium includes a special panel developed in partnership with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and Pulitzer “Celebrating 100 years of Pulitzer – From New Orleans to the World Stage: The Artistic Journeys of Louis Armstrong and Wynton Marsalis.” The panel will explore and contrast the approaches, outlooks and outputs of both artists, as well as how they were influenced by New Orleans. It will be moderated by New Orleans journalist (NOLA.com| The Times-Picayune) and historian James Karst.
On Friday, August 5, Grammy Award-winning artist Catherine Russell will present “From Satchmo's Knee to a Grammy.” Russell grew up in New York City as the daughter of musical royalty: her father was pianist, bandleader, and longtime Louis Armstrong musical director Luis Russell; her mother, Carline Ray, was a celebrated artist who performed with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, and Ruth Brown among others. Russell, who met Louis Armstrong when she was very young, has toured the world as a backup singer with such top artists as David Bowie, Jackson Browne, and Cyndi Lauper – and over the last 10 years has released five critically-acclaimed CDs (and earned a Grammy) as a solo artist and bandleader. Russell makes her Satchmo SummerFest debut on stage at Festival and will talk about her fascinating musical heritage and wide-ranging career with interviewer Fred Kasten.
Author Mick Carlon presents “A Conversation with Jack Bradley.” Bradley was one of Pops' most trusted friends as well as the 'photo-taker' of some of the most beautifully candid Armstrong photographs ever captured. Bradley traveled with Armstrong for years, taking photos and collecting an incredible collection of artifacts, which were recently donated to the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Archives in New York. Jack, now 82 and retired on Cape Cod, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with Carlon about his deep friendship with the man the world knew and loved as 'Satchmo.' The recently-recorded interview will be shown on Sunday, August 7.
A full Satchmo SummerFest Symposium schedule can be found here.
'Spirit of Satch Awards' and Other Special Events
The 16th anniversary of Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron also brings the return of the 'Spirit of Satch' Awards. Winners are champions of jazz and New Orleans music in a variety of areas, including Jazz Education, Keeping Traditional Jazz Alive and Well, and Preserving our Musical Legacy. The winners will be announced at festival on Friday, August 5, during the opening ceremony on the 'Red Beans and Ricely Yours' stage.
In addition to music and education, Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron showcases New Orleans' most important indigenous traditions, such as a Sunday morning Jazz Mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Treme; a traditional second line parade; and traditional jazz dance lessons.
Other special events include an opening reception at the historic Omni Royal Orleans Hotel (the official hotel of Satchmo SummerFest), a special Louis Armstrong film screening at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, Pops' Playhouse, a dedicated children's area, and a Trumpet Tribute and birthday celebration to close the festival.
FQFI reps said the festival also features authentic Creole cuisine from the area's finest restaurants to create Red Bean Alley.
Daily admission is $5 (children 12 and under are free).
2016 Satchmo SummerFest Poster
FQFI reps announced the 2016 Satchmo SummerFest poster was created by artist Terry Marks, Sr. A New Orleans native, Marks is president of the Metairie Art Guild, as well as an active member of the New Orleans Art Association and Jefferson Art Guild. After obtaining a degree in Advertising Art, he opened a sign business in 1976 and his work can be seen all over the region. The original poster art, a vibrant portrait of Louis Armstrong with a retro, sub-tropical vibe, was carved from wood salvaged from the old Dixie Brewery. "The wood was over 200 years old. I felt that only a New Orleans legend such as Louis Armstrong would be a fitting subject for this piece," Marks said.
About Louis Armstrong
FQFI reps said Louis Armstrong grew up in one of New Orleans' poorest neighborhoods, an area known as 'Back o' Town.' Throughout his career, he entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on his stoop in Corona, NY. Despite his fame, he lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. The man known around the world as 'Satchmo' was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz, a uniquely American art form. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal, unmatched, and very much alive today, FQFI reps said. Armstrong was a charismatic, innovative performer whose improvised soloing was the main influence for a fundamental change in jazz. One of the most famous musicians of the 20th century, he was first known as a cornet player, then as a trumpet player, and toward the end of his career he was best known as a vocalist and influential jazz singer. The nickname 'Satchmo' is short for 'Satchelmouth.' In 1932, Melody Maker magazine editor Percy Brooks greeted Armstrong in London with "Hello, Satchmo!" and the nickname stuck.
Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron in April and Christmas New Orleans Style in December.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. reps said they promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
