Albert “Tootie” Heath will play two concerts in New Orleans this week as part of his Artist-in-Residence duties for the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp.

The 81-year-old jazz drumming legend will perform at 7  p.m. Wednesday, July 13 at Little Gem Saloon. The Queen of Swing, Norma Miller, will be at the show as well. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

Heath will also take the stage with students from the summer jazz camp on Friday, July 16. The free camp concert will be held at 8 p.m. in Loyola University’s Roussel Hall.

Now in its 22nd year, the Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp continues to offer music training to children and teens from across the country.

“It’s wonderful to be able to pass on all of this history that I have, to give it to someone,” Heath told OffBeat. “Otherwise I’d die with all of this information and all these experiences that I’ve had. I’d take it to the grave, but now I have somewhere to give it.”

Like the other teachers at the summer camp, Heath believes in teaching students a wide variety of music, in addition to jazz.

“Drums are an international instrument,” Heath noted. “It goes over all cultures. If you can pay attention to every culture, and every opportunity you have to listen and to experience  other cultures, it adds to your repertoire. It makes you better.”