Louis Armstrong’s only child, Sharon Preston-Folta, comes forward in the new documentary Little Satchmo after living for more than five decades with the secret of her paternity. In the film, Preston-Folta reveals a relationship that was kept entirely out of public view.
Appropriately, the film will begin its U.S. theatrical run in Armstrong’s hometown. The Broad Theater will host an opening-night event on Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m. with a Q&A session moderated by Gian Francisco Smith, director of the Black Film Festival of New Orleans, with film director John Alexander, producer JC Guest, and New Orleans’ own John Boutté, who narrates the documentary. Little Satchmo is a nonprofit project of the Southern Documentary Fund and features original music with Wycliffe Gordon from Emmy Award-winning composer Eddie Korvin.
Little Satchmo is based on Preston-Folta’s memoir of the same title where she reveals her identity as a child borne of a two-decade love affair between Armstrong and Harlem dancer Lucille “Sweets” Preston. There was never a time in Preston-Folta’s childhood when her father was not a part of her life, but a mention of this relationship never ventured beyond than the confines of immediate family.
To the world, Louis Armstrong is iconic—a symbol of musical genius, unparalleled success, and unassailable character. To Preston-Folta, he was simply dad. Armstrong’s wholesome, nonthreatening image preserved his singular career as a black performer with unfettered access to a white man’s world. Yet he was more than a caricature. In private, he held tightly to the things he loved. Perhaps closest to his heart was a child whom he hid from the world: a daughter sworn to a life of secrecy until now
In addition to the U.S. theatrical release, Little Satchmo has been selected for PBS Reel South and will be the premiere episode of Season 7 on April 11. An art-house cinema release in more than 100 cities throughout Europe will kick off this summer.
For tickets to the screening and additional information, visit here.
