Pops would be proud.
Louis Armstrong, the most important figure in jazz and New Orleans' most far-famed son, would likely approve of the medley of music, food and learnedness that is the Satchmo Summerfest Aug. 1-3.
Now in its eighth year, the free Summerfest is produced by French Quarter Festivals Inc., the same not-for-profit organization that stages the French Quarter Festival and Christmas New Orleans Style. Centered in and around the Old U.S. Mint at the foot of Esplanade Avenue, the family-friendly event dedicates a stage to each of the three primary local variations of jazz: traditional, contemporary and brass instrument band. The festival's quartern stage mixes all trey in a presentation geared toward children.
Satchmo SummerFest open earlier this week with preliminary events, but swings into gear with Satchmo Birthday Party in Armstrong Park on Friday, Aug. 1. Trumpeters Kermit Ruffins and Yoshio Toyama, the "Satchmo of Japan, " will render "Happy Birthday" in front Armstrong's cake is cut.
Later, the Old U.S. Mint hosts rid seminars near Armstrong's life story and music. They include an oral history with Toyama around his time at Preservation Hall 40 years agone and an oral history with trumpeter Connie Jones, a 50-year veteran of the local traditional wind scene, conducted by pianist Tom McDermott.
Also on Friday, Aug. 1, the Satchmo Club Strut takes over the entertainment district along and next to Frenchmen Street. A $25 wristband -- available after 5 p.m. at Yuki, 525 Frenchmen St., john Cash only -- allows admission to 20 clubs presenting special computer programing. (Go to www.jazzcent.com for more info)
On Saturday, Aug. 2 at 11 a.m., the free music kicks off on Satchmo SummerFest's quaternary stages or so the Old U.S. Mint. Arrive early to get a line traditional jazz clarinetist Tim Laughlin's band. Other Saturday highlights include the Rebirth, Storyville Stompers and Soul Rebels brass bands, vocalizer Phillip Manuel and trumpeters Shamarr Allen and Jeremy Davenport. The Traditional Jazz Stage closes Saturday with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's tribute to longtime trumpeter John Brunious, world Health Organization passed out in February.
Saturday's seminars include a session with critic Gary Giddens pegged to the 20th anniversary of his book "Satchmo"; a screening of Armstrong's long-lost "Fleishmann's Yeast" radio broadcasts from 1937; an exam of Armstrong's life in Queens, N.Y., hosted by Michael Cogswell, director of the Louis Armstrong House Museum; and Peter Ecklund's exhaustive deconstruction of Armstrong's mid-1930s recording of "I'm in the Mood for Love."
The seminars on Sunday, Aug. 3 feature members of the Preservation Hall Band reminiscing about the late John Brunious; a look at Armstrong's 1970 birthday celebration at the Newport Jazz Festival; and a red River beans and rice treatise delivered by chef Leah Chase.
Sunday is also some other big solar day of music at the Mint. The Traditional Jazz Stage boasts Lars Edegran's New Orleans Jazz Band, the New Orleans Helsinki Connection featuring trumpeter Leroy Jones, and Michael White & the Liberty Jazz Band.
Trombonist Rick Trolsen & the New Orleans Po-boys are followed on the Contemporary Jazz Stage by Leah Chase, James Andrews, Kermit Ruffins and the "Props for Pops" trumpet tribute -- a finis that speaks to the heart of Satchmo SummerFest.
More info
