French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Emily Madero, President & CEO

400 N Peters, STE 205

New Orleans, LA 70130

www.fqfi.org

Contact: Kristen Dufauchard

Marketing and Communications Director

Office: 504-522-5730/Cell: 504-994-4074

 Email: kristen@fqfi.org

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) Join Forces to Present Satchmo SummerFest 2024

A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Culinary Adventure in the Heart of New Orleans

See pictures from past events.

NEW ORLEANS (June 27, 2024) – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) announces Satchmo SummerFest presented by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF). The annual festival celebrating New Orleans' legendary son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, will take place on August 3 and 4 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. Satchmo SummerFest is dedicated to Louis Armstrong's life, legacy, and music. From the moment the gates open at 11:30 AM until the last note fades at 8:00 PM, this event promises an unforgettable experience for jazz enthusiasts, festival lovers, foodies, and families. Thanks to additional support from New Orleans & Company, the Fest is a free cultural event for the community. 

"We are excited to welcome an incredible lineup of musical acts, engaging indoor piano sessions, and diverse culinary selections at this year's Satchmo SummerFest," said Emily Madero, President & CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. "We are proud to host renowned experts like Regina Bain, who will discuss the newly opened Armstrong Center with the largest archives of any jazz musician. Our incredible lineup of jazz legends and performance debuts will highlight Satchmo's legacy of musical passion and innovation and provide something for everyone in the family to enjoy."

"We are excited to support events like Satchmo SummerFest that celebrate the incredible talent and rich culture of New Orleans," said Lisa Alexis, President of NOTCF. "Louis Armstrong's legacy is a fundamental part of our city's global cultural footprint, and we are proud to help preserve it. By uplifting our artists through this festival, we not only honor Armstrong's contributions but also inspire future generations to carry forward our vibrant musical heritage."

Walter J. Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official destination sales and marketing organization for the New Orleans tourism industry, said, "This summer and beyond, everything we do is designed to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social, and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. That’s why we are excited to ensure Satchmo SummerFest remains free and accessible for both our local community and visitors. This festival, a cornerstone on our summer calendar, is a testament to our commitment to cultural celebration and our pride in the vibrant heritage of New Orleans."

Satchmo Scholars and Musical Acts Across Genres to Perform

Now in its 24th year, Satchmo SummerFest continues to celebrate the spirit of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, and the genre’s evolution. Through captivating performances and with the support of the community, sponsors, and passionate music lovers, Satchmo SummerFest promises to be an unparalleled celebration of the vibrant culture that defines the soul of New Orleans.

The festival lineup boasts over two dozen musical acts, including traditional jazz, brass and marching bands, funk, R&B, jazz fusion, and more. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Piano Sessions return to the festival after last year's successful debut; this intimate performance series invites guests inside the museum to enjoy the musical stylings of renowned pianists like Mari Watanabe with trumpeter Kevin Louis, all while surrounded by the museum's current exhibits. The festival also offers two tented outdoor stages: the Fidelity Bank Stage and the PosiGen Solar Stage, with debut and returning performances from:

Debut Performances

• NOJO 7 featuring Phillip Manuel 
• Brass-A-Holics with Flagboy Giz 
• Rickie Monie & Jamil Sharif 
• Steve Lands and Kosmi(k)rewe
• Detroit Brooks 

Returning Performances

• The Dirty Dozen Brass Band 
• The Nayo Jones Experience
• Catherine Russell
• Kermit Ruffins

Big Chief Donald Harrison

with the ICONS featuring Choppa, BlaqNmilD, and Tonya Boyd-Cannon

and more!

Satchmo Legacy Stage in Memory of Joni Berry: Speaker and Discussion Series

On the Satchmo Legacy Stage in Memory of Joni Berry, scholars and historians will present a wide range of topics related to Louis Armstrong and his musical legacy. Roger Lewis, founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, will sit down with David Kunian, the New Orleans Jazz Museum Curator, to talk about his storied life in music, including experiences playing with Fats Domino, Eddie Bo, and the Treme Brass Band. Join in on Back O' Town Blues, the Anatomy of A Beloved Louis Armstrong Classic, a conversation with Paul Kahn and Catherine Russell that explores this staple of Armstrong's repertoire as a metaphor for both the transformative nature of Satchmo's artistry and the politics of music publishing.

View the full music and speaker lineup.

Additional Festival Activities

The 24th annual event returns with favorite traditions and added fun for the whole family:

Roots of Music Satchmo Soundoff presented by Fidelity Bank | Saturday: Music fans of all ages can attend a special performance by some of the city's youngest and most talented musicians. Roots of Music Satchmo Soundoff presented by Fidelity Bank, will kick off this year’s festival Saturday at 11:30 AM on Esplanade Ave., right outside the Museum gates. 

Chill at the Fest, Powered by Entergy | Saturday and Sunday: Thanks to Entergy New Orleans, the popular chill tent will return with complimentary neck chillers and misting fans throughout the festival site. 

Satchmo SummerFest Jazz Mass | Sunday: The Jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church will begin at 10 AM, and attendees can also enjoy a spirited performance by the Treme Brass Band. Due to ongoing renovations at St. Augustine Church, mass will be held in the Parish Hall. Please note that space and seating are limited, so mass will be live-streamed at Facebook.com/saintaugchurch. 

Satchmo Salute Parade presented by New Orleans Tourism & Cultural Fund (NOTCF) | Sunday: The Second-Line Parade, presented by New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF), will feature the Treme Brass Band leading attendees out of Sunday mass at St. Augustine Church at 11:15 AM in the Treme neighborhood and through the French Quarter in a Second-Line parade to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

Eco-Friendly Festivities

FQFI’s Geauxing Green initiative will return for the fourth year to promote responsible waste management & other sustainability practices at Satchmo SummerFest. In 2023, the Geauxing Green program diverted an impressive 56% of waste from landfills, further establishing FQFI as a regional leader in event sustainability. The Festival’s Green Team will help attendees make informed choices and actively contribute to the event's sustainability goals. FQFI is happy to announce that the RosaMary Foundation has committed to supporting Geauxing Green through 2026 to help reduce the overall environmental impact of FQFI’s important cultural events. Additional funding for Geauxing Green is provided by the New Orleans Recreation and Culture Fund under Councilmembers JP Morrell and Freddie King III. 

New Merchandise with a Green Edge

Satchmo SummerFest will introduce a new line of bags made from recycled festival banners for additional sustainable festival solutions. These limited-edition items, created by local company Tchoup Industries, are a unique way to reduce waste by upcycling vinyl banners no longer being used. The one-of-a-kind recycled banner bags will be available for purchase at the official festival merchandise booth during the event.

Learn more about Geauxing Green.

Thank You, Sponsors and Community Partners

For over 40 years, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. has been proud to provide high-quality community events that are accessible to all. The organization relies heavily on the contributions of sponsors and partners and beverage and merchandise sales to support the festival. Sponsors for the 2024 festival include:

New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF), New Orleans & Company, Fidelity Bank, Joseph K. & Inez Eichenbaum Foundation, Omni Royal Orleans, WWL-TV, Friend of Fest, PosiGen Solar and Energy Efficiency, Entergy New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Brown-Forman, Jack Daniels, el Jimador Tequila, Finlandia Vodka, Sonoma-Cutrer, Korbel California Champagne, Abita Brewing Company, Pepsi, French Market Corporation, New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, The Folgers Coffee Company, JAX Brewery Parking Lots and The Berger Company, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Capital Vacations, Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, Keesler Federal Credit Union, LeafFilter, T-Mobile, Touro, Danny & Alana Wolfe, Beignet Fest Foundation with support from New Orleans & Co., Renaissance Publishing, Nola.Com, OffBeat Magazine, Cumulus New Orleans, Telemundo 42 New Orleans, WGSO, DownBeat Magazine, Louisiana Cookin’, Clarion Herald

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Happy Birthday, Satchmo!

Satchmo SummerFest is scheduled annually to coincide with Louis Armstrong’s birthday on August 4. The first festival took place on what would have been his 100th birthday, the same year the New Orleans airport was renamed Louis Armstrong International Airport. The artist often stated in public interviews that he was born on July 4, 1900 (Independence Day), a date that has been noted in many biographies. Armstrong died in 1971, and his true birthdate, August 4, 1901, was not discovered until the mid-1980s. Louis Armstrong was raised in a poor section of New Orleans known as “Jane Alley.” Throughout his career, he entertained millions – from heads of state and royalty to the neighborhood kids on his stoop in Corona, New York. Despite his fame, he lived a simple life in a working-class neighborhood. The man known around the world as “Satchmo,” short for Satchelmouth, was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz – a unique American art form. In 1932, Melody Maker magazine editor Percy Brooks greeted Armstrong in London with "Hello, Satchmo!” and the nickname stuck. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal, unmatched and very much alive today. 



About French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Satchmo SummerFest is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which also produces French Quarter Festival in April and Holidays New Orleans Style. in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes 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. For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.

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