It’s time again to honor Louis Armstrong, New Orleans’ most famous and beloved musician, at the Satchmo SummerFest, July 31 through August 3.

Louis Armstrong had—and has—a profound impact on American music. If you’ve viewed Ken Burns’ Jazz—and as a music lover you really do need to see this piece—you’ll understand Satchmo’s influence on jazz and on modern music.

Armstrong lived for his music. But while Louis Armstrong was born here, and learned his art here, when he got the chance, he moved north. He missed New Orleans, but made a better living elsewhere. He got an offer to move to Chicago and took New Orleans jazz with him, where it was a huge hit. He learned then that it’s easier on the psyche to go where you’re appreciated. And apparently Armstrong was paid much better, too.

Nothing has changed much in New Orleans’ appreciation of its native musical sons. Our musicians are still underappreciated and underpaid. It’s really difficult to find many local musicians for summertime gigs because they travel overseas where the audiences hold jazz and our music in reverence, and where people pay for the privilege of hearing America’s greatest contribution to the world’s music: jazz.

It’s wonderful that New Orleans has finally decided to honor Louis Armstrong. Not only is it a music festival, SSF programming includes scholars and Armstrong contemporaries knowledgeable about his life and times, and studies of the impact of his music and persona on popular culture. The producer of SSF, French Quarter Festivals, has concentrated the festival in and around the Old U.S. Mint, which is scheduled to become a first-class jazz museum in the future. Two stages are outside, and two are inside the Mint this year, one for kids and another regular music stage, plus the ongoing speaker series. The Satchmo Club Strut on July 31 on Frenchmen Street highlights what’s become the city’s de facto music district.

Although jazz is much more beloved overseas than in the U.S. (go figure), the potential for Satchmo SummerFest attracting thousands of foreign visitors is still mostly unrealized. New Orleans needs to capitalize on its music as a marketing tool. We have a lot to offer—including food and architecture—but the music is unlike anything in any other city in the world. Why aren’t we promoting our musical heritage consistently and persistently to potential visitors, especially those who live overseas? The greatest opportunity to promote New Orleans is just waiting for someone to take notice!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a benefit for Marva Wright at Tipitina’s on Saturday August 22 that features a number of stellar New Orleans’ musicians: Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias, Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr., Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Shannon Powell, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Betty Shirley, Keith Vinet and Walter “Wolfman” Washington, James Andrews and many more. As readers of OffBeat and our Weekly Beat newsletter are aware, Marva has suffered the devastating effects of two strokes. She is recovering and is currently in rehab and the music community—as usual—has rallied to support one of the greatest singers in New Orleans.

Finally, the New Orleans Press Club awarded OffBeat top honors in the “Critical Review” category for John Swenson’s review of A Tales of God’s Will (Requiem for Katrina); and the Weekly Beat received the award for “Best E-Mail Update.” Kudos to the OffBeat staff!