In honor of New Orleans’ own legendary jazz trumpeter Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron is back, from August 2 through 4, for another year of music, food and fun. The festival is entering its 19th year, and since its start in 2000, Satchmo SummerFest has gained recognition as a must attend event, with Oprah Magazine calling it one of the most “interesting things to experience in Louisiana.”
Festival performances will feature a vast array of musical styles, including jazz, brass, swing, funk and fusion. Over 30 acts are scheduled to perform–among them are Big 6 Brass Band, who are known for energetic second lines and their debut album, Big Six, which the band just released in June, and Tonya Boyd-Cannon, a vocalist who has cited Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson as two of her biggest influences. Other acts include Big Easy Brawlers, guitarist Michael Ward and Troy Sawyer & the Elementz. The legendary percussionist and vocalist Cyril Neville, who has most recently played with Trombone Shorty on PBS’ “Austin City Limits” and collaborated with rappers Nesby Phips, Paasky and Gene Stanza, will also perform.
The culinary lineup for the festival is just as enticing, with returning festival favorites like Big Cheezy, Café Dauphine, Company Burger and Plum Street Snoballs, along with new additions, such as Dorignac’s Food Center, Gulf Tacos, Rusty Pelican and Congreso Cubano. Click here for menus.
Also featured at the festival, the Hilton Satchmo Legacy Stage will showcase scholarly panels for the discussion of Armstrong’s life and work. Melissa A. Weber: On Louis Armstrong and Black American Music and Sally Young and Deanna Assunto: Louis and the Assunto Dukes of Dixieland are just a few of the upcoming panels. Family friendly events, like the Zulu coconut decorating station and congo drum making, will also be available.
The opening-night kickoff party will take place on August 1 at the Omni Royal Orleans (621 St Louis St.); ticket sales for the kick-off party will help fund the three day festival, and it will feature jazz musician Ellis Marsalis, Jr. and special guest Ashlin Parker. The event will pay special tribute to the late Dave Bartholomew. The rest of the festival will take place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint, at 400 Esplanade Ave. Daily admission is $6 a head. Children 12 and under get free admission. For more information visit the festival’s website, here.
