SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
Fast Facts
- CLELEBRATION
- Jazz celebration that celebrates Louis "Satchmo” Armstrong's Birthday
- CELEBRATED
- Takes place some time in early August
- FOUNDED
- Founded in 2001 by the French Quarter Festival, Inc.
- STAT
- Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most gifted performers of all time
SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
Satchmo SummerFest (also known as Satchmofest) is an annual music festival held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Celebrating the jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong, the festival takes place in early August and coincides with Armstrong's August 4 birthday.
#SatchmoSummerFest
Jazz is America's great original art form and no other place is more closely associated with jazz than New Orleans. Satchmo SummerFest is held on the grounds of the old New Orleans Mint near the historic French Quarter.
Louis "Satchmo” Armstrong is considered to be one of the most gifted and influential American performers of the twentieth century. His influence extends well beyond jazz. His artistry and personality allowed him access to the upper echelons of society around the world. Armstrong's impact on the music is immeasurable. As a virtuoso trumpet player and vocalist, he had a hand in shaping the development of jazz and rock and roll in the mid-twentieth century.
Did you know?
At the age of 62, Louis Armstrong knocked the Beatles off the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964. The Beatles had held the #1 spot for 14 consecutive weeks with I Want to Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, and Can't Buy Me Love. Armstrong released Hello, Dolly! and quickly landed the #1 spot. He was the oldest musician in American history to have a #1 song on the Billboard chart at that time.
Satchmo SummerFest has evolved over the years into “a mini-JazzFest.” With three days of outdoor concerts, music history seminars, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass, a second-line parade and local food delicacies and drinks, the festival has become a travelers’, as well as a local, favorite.
While visiting “The Big Easy,” check out all the great features the city has to offer, including the Cajun culture! Explore the bayous of Louisiana by boat or enjoy a steamboat cruise on the legendary Mississippi. Learn about the voodoo side of the Big Easy with a guided tour of the city's most eerie locations. Learn about life in the bayou before, during and after the Civil War.
HOW TO CELEBRATE SATCHMO SUMMERFEST
Whether you’re heading to the French Quarter or celebrating from afar, here are the best ways to join in on the tribute to Louis Armstrong:
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Head to the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint to catch three days of world-class jazz, brass bands, and contemporary artists across multiple stages.
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Experience a traditional jazz mass at St. Augustine Church in Tremé, honoring Armstrong's deep spiritual roots and musical heritage.
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Join in the final day by marching in a vibrant second-line parade, complete with brass horns, dancing, and decorated parasols.
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Sample iconic Louisiana festival fare onsite, from meat pies and jambalaya to fresh snoballs and Gulf seafood.
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Attend the music history seminars to hear the scholars, historians, and legendary musicians discuss Satchmo’s enduring legacy inside the museum auditorium.
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Tune in to local New Orleans radio station for live broadcasts, fire up your favorite Louis Armstrong playlist, or cook a classic NOLA dish at home.
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hare your photos, music clips, and favorite Satchmo festival memories on social media using the hashtag #SatchmoSummerFest!
HISTORY
The Satchmo SummerFest was founded in 2001 and is sponsored by the French Quarter Festival, Inc. and the city of New Orleans.
