This past weekend, Satchmo SummerFest presented by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) returned for its 24th year on August 3 and 4 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. The festival is produced by the local nonprofit French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) and celebrates the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans’ native son, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong. For two beautiful sunny days, attendees enjoyed 30 musical performances, seven food vendors, and several special events—all at no cost.
Saturday with That Lucky Old Sun
Satchmo SummerFest, presented by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF), opened with great energy from The Roots of Music during the Satchmo Soundoff, presented by Fidelity Bank. The band marched into the Festival gates and shared selections by Armstrong and other local favorites. The day continued with Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders, Catherine Russell, Onward Brass Band and NOJO 7 featuring Phillip Manuel on the Fidelity Bank Stage. New to the Fest, the PosiGen Solar Stage was host to Preservation Brass, George Brown Band, The Nayo Jones Experience, and Yusa and Mahmoud Chouki. Closing out day one was The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Big Chief Donald Harrison with the ICONS featuring Choppa, BlaqNmilD, and Tonya Boyd-Cannon with an electrifying performance of their single, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” both a rallying cry for the upcoming football season and a Satchmo classic.
Inside the museum, friends and families could enjoy the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Piano Sessions for the second year. The series drew crowds to the second-floor gallery of the Museum and featured pianists like Matt Lemmler’s New Orleans Stride and the Victor Campbell Duo. Satchmo Scholars shared insights into their history and inspiration from Armstrong on the third floor at the Satchmo Legacy Stage in Memory of Joni Berry. In one session, “The Great Summit – A Timeless Recording Featuring Louis and the Duke,” author and music educator Keith Hatschek took attendees on a journey through the context of Armstrong’s magnificent string of late-career classic recordings with Duke Ellington and their resulting “Great Summit” LP that became an instant classic.
What a Wonderful Sunday
Sunday’s Jazz Mass, presented by Rhodes Funeral Home, was held at St. Augustine Church in a packed house. Parishioners and celebrants attended the mass at the historic Catholic church in the heart of Treme, with the annual event dating back to the beginning of the Festival. Immediately following services, everyone took to the streets to join the Annual Satchmo Salute Parade. The parade advanced along the route with groups of colorful suits and parasols and high-energy dancing, buck-jumping, and striding from the church to the Festival grounds. The first line included local Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs like Treme Brass Band, Treme Million Dollar Extraordinaires, Big Six Brass Band, TBC Brass Band, Fi Yi Yi, Sporty Brass Band, the Mahogany Blue Baby Dolls, and the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club. The second line followed tradition and marched to the second day of musical performances, culinary vending, and programming. The momentum continued throughout the day, with large crowds gathering to see Doreen’s Jazz, Detroit Brooks with Charmaine Neville, Wendell Brunious and John Boutte’.
Keeping Things Cool on the Sunny Side of the Street
The return of Chill at the Fest brought relief from the heat as a sea of purple neck-chillers moved around the Fest grounds, and attendees enjoyed misting fans, all thanks to Entergy New Orleans. Fans from French Market Corporation, Touro, and PosiGen could be seen around the stages, food areas, and places to keep things cool between hot jazz sets. Cool treats like the frozen daiquiris from New Orleans Original Daiquiris and Sno Balls from Plum Street Snoballs provided more options for fest-goers to cool off.
Red Beans and Ricely Yours
Culinary vendors delighted festival-goers with their delicious offerings, receiving rave reviews for their mouth-watering dishes throughout the weekend.
“It was wonderful seeing so many returning customers and friends and celebrating our beloved Satchmo together,” said Tia Henry, Owner of Café Dauphine. “I am thrilled to participate in such a wonderful community event and add Satchmo’s favorite dish to our menu—red beans and rice.”
“Our team was thrilled to participate in Satchmo SummerFest for the first time this year, and the response was beyond our expectations,” said Nigel Pais. “The community’s enthusiasm and appreciation for our hibachi plates and wonton nachos made this experience unforgettable!”
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