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Satchmo is, of course, New Orleans native son, the late Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. He played the trumpet and had a gravelly, raspy singing voice. He is widely recognized as one of the founding fathers of Jazz, a unique American art form. Armstrong’s influence as an artist and cultural icon is universal and is still alive today.
Satchmo Summerfest began as a one time tribute to Armstrong on August 4, 2001, on what would have been his 100th birthday, It was so successful that it became an annual event. It is held in the French Quarter on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
Live Music
Live bands and singers perform on two outdoor stages and will star some of New Orleans top musicians with many of them playing their tributes to Satchmo and his music. 2024 performers include
- George Brown Band
- Catherine Russel
- Preservation Band
- Onward Brass Band
- The Nayo Jones Experience
- NOJO 7 featuring Phillip Manuel
- Yusa & Mahmond Chouki
- Big Chief Donald Harrison with the ICONs
- The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
- Matt Lemmler’s New Orleans in Stride
- The Victor Campbell Duo
- Mari Watanabe & Kevin Lewis
- Al “Lil Fats” Jackson
- John Boutte
- Rickie Monie & Jamel Sharif
- Doreen’s Jazz
- Steve Lands
- Kosmikrewe
- Steve Pistorius with Charlie Halloran
- Wendell Brunious
- Kermit Ruffins
- The Original Pinettes Brass Band
- Shannon Powell’s Traditional All-Star Band
- Brass-A-Holics with Flagboy Giz
- Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders
Additional Festival Information
Top New Orleans restaurants will set up stalls around the festival which will give you access to the Big Easy’s best food. Try a Cajun meat pie or a seafood pie. Get a taste of NOLA with Fried Green Tomatoes Shrimp Remoulade or a Fried Fish Sandwich. Try Cracklin or Red’s Shrimp Salad.
And you can also purchase beer, wine, champagne, cocktails, soda and water.
The fest will kick off with Roots of Music Satchmo Soundoff. You can see a special performance by some of New Orleans’ youngest and most talented musicians. The popular chill tents with complimentary neck chillers and misting fans can be found throughout the fest.
On Sunday, there will be a Satchmo Summerfest Jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church at 10 am. That will be followed by the Second Line Parade. The Treme Brass Band will lead attendees from the church to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
The Satchmo Legacy Stage will feature jazz scholars, people who knew and worked with Louis Armstrong, historians and musicians.
New Orleans Cuisine
If you enjoyed the food at Summerfest and want to learn more about Cajun and Creole cooking, try these cookbooks. Use our links to see how you can save money.
- Kevin Belton’s Big Flavors of New Orleans by Kevin Belton and Rhonda Findley
- Creole Gumbo & All That Jazz: A New Orleans Seafood Cookbook by Howard Mitchum
- Complete Cajun Cookbook by Ryan Boudreaux
- Emeril’s New New Orleans Cooking by Emeril Lagasse
Visiting New Orleans
If you’d like to visit New Orleans for the festival, you should consider the following hotels with discounted hotels going as low as $71 a night.
And here are houses, condos and other rental units that might be perfect for your trip. Take a look at these rental options.
If you’re going to be flying to New Orleans, book your flight here, use the promo code “Summerfest30” and you can save money.