Satchmo SummerFest Wraps 26 Years of Music and Community in the
French Quarter
The 26th Annual Satchmo SummerFest, presented by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF), brought two days of music, food and cultural programming to the New Orleans Jazz Museum on August 1-2. Marking 26 years since the festival’s founding, the celebration honored the life and legacy of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong through more than 25 live performances, indoor piano sessions, educational talks, and local cuisine.
“This year’s Satchmo SummerFest was a powerful tribute to the music, culture and community spirit of New Orleans,” said Emily Madero, President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. “For 26 years, this festival has brought our community together to celebrate Louis Armstrong and the artists who continue to carry his influence forward and we are grateful for everyone who made this year’s event so special.”
Founded in 2001 to commemorate the centennial of Louis Armstrong’s birth, Satchmo SummerFest has grown into one of New Orleans’ most beloved cultural traditions. The festival celebrates his global influence while providing a platform for the musicians, scholars and culture bearers preserving and advancing New Orleans music.
“Satchmo Summerfest is a celebration of everything that makes New Orleans unlike anywhere else in the world,” said Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans and Company. “Events like this not only honor our city’s rich heritage, but also generate demand for summer tourism and welcome visitors from around the world. We are proud to partner with FQFI and support a festival that continues to honor the legacy of Louis Armstrong.”
The Spirit of Satchmo Echoes Through Every Note
Music filled the New Orleans Jazz Museum throughout the weekend. Outdoors, performances took place on the Delta Utilities Stage along Esplanade Avenue and the Friends of Fest Stage on Barracks Street, while two floors of the museum offered intimate musical and educational experiences.
Roots of Music kicked off the weekend with a performance showcasing the next generation of New Orleans musicians. The lineup also featured Don Vappie and Jazz Creole, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, Preservation Brass, Mark Braud’s All-Stars featuring Wendell Brunious, Paul Sanchez and Kiki Chapman, Troy Sawyer & The Elementz featuring Girls Play Trumpets Too, Hasizzle with TBC Brass Band, Yusa, Assata Renay, Jenna McSwain and The Nayo Jones Experience.
On the museum’s second floor, the Fidelity Bank Piano Sessions Stage gave audiences an up-close experience with some of the city’s accomplished pianists. Performances by Linda Aubert, Tom Worrell, John Royen and Tim Laughlin gave attendees an intimate look into the artistry that has shaped the sound of New Orleans.
The third floor was home to the Satchmo Legacy Stage in Memory of Joni Berry, where scholars, historians and artists explored Louis Armstrong’s life, music and lasting influence. Presentations examined his international reach, landmark recordings and impact on radio, dance and pop culture. Highlights included Dr. Robert Mikell’s discussion of Armstrong’s music across the continents; Charanya Ramakrishnan’s presentation on The Corona Collection; and Lisa La Touche’s exploration of the intersections between tap dance and Armstrong’s music, which included a live performance.
Armstrong scholar Ricky Riccardi also presented Birth of the Hot: 100 Years of the Hot Five, offering audiences a deeper look at the groundbreaking recordings that helped transform jazz and establish Satchmo as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
Dishes as Rich as the Music: Festival Food Highlights
The music may have taken center stage, but the food gave festivalgoers plenty to celebrate between sets. Satchmo SummerFest’s culinary lineup brought together New Orleans classics, Caribbean flavors and creative festival dishes from some of the area’s favorite restaurants and vendors. . Through LCMC Health’s Keeping You Well initiative, attendees could also choose from preselected healthy menu items, making it easy to enjoy flavorful festival favorites while supporting healthier choices.
Cafe Dauphine paid tribute to Armstrong by serving one of his favorite dishes, red beans and rice. The restaurant’s menu also featured fried green tomatoes and Cajun seafood eggrolls. Mrs. Wheat’s Pies returned with its signature meat and seafood pies and chicken and sausage jambalaya, while Southern’s drew crowds with its award-winning fried chicken and beer-battered fish sandwiches. .
International flavors also had a strong presence. Nori Guys served inventive dishes such as crab and shrimp wonton nachos and spicy tuna sushi tacos, while 14 Parishes offered Jamaican favorites including jerk chicken and jerk pork. Plum Street Snoballs kept attendees cool with a classic New Orleans treat, while festival beverage booths served refreshing drinks throughout the weekend. Proceeds from beverage sales help keep Satchmo SummerFest free and support the year-round cultural programming of French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Honoring Satchmo Beyond the Stage: Jazz Mass, Salute Parade and Family Fun
Sunday began with one of Satchmo SummerFest’s most cherished traditions, the Jazz Mass at St. Augustine Church. This year’s celebration marked the Mass’s return to the sanctuary following repairs.
After the service, the Annual Satchmo Salute Parade stepped off from St. Augustine Church and traveled down Esplanade Avenue to the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Musicians, cultural groups, festival supporters and community members filled the streets in honor of Armstrong, with attendees encouraged to join the celebration in linen and seersucker.
The Jazz Mass and Satchmo Salute Parade have been central to Satchmo SummerFest since its earliest years, reflecting the deep connection between Armstrong’s legacy, the Tremé community and New Orleans’ musical traditions.
Keeping it Cool: Wellness, Accessibility and Festival Favorites Return
The Junior Zulus returned with free coconut-painting workshops on Saturday and Sunday, giving children and families an opportunity to learn about one of New Orleans’ most recognizable cultural traditions while creating a souvenir to take home.
Cooling areas, shaded seating and misting fans were available throughout the festival grounds to help attendees manage the summer heat thanks to Entergy New Orleans. Through support from LCMC Health, festivalgoers also had access to first aid services, complimentary sunscreen and wellness information.
These resources supported French Quarter Festivals, Inc.’s continued commitment to creating a welcoming and accessible festival experience for attendees of all ages and abilities.
Benny’s Sensory Activation Vehicle was on the grounds, providing a cool, quiet area for those who may have found the weekend’s festivities overstimulating at times, particularly our community members with sensory processing sensitivities.
As this unforgettable 26th anniversary of Satchmo SummerFest closes, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. invites fans to mark their calendars for our next celebration: New Orleans Eve on December 31. This free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve concert in the heart of the French Quarter will ring in 2027 with live local music, community spirit, and plenty of festive surprises.
Satchmo SummerFest will return to honor Louis Armstrong’s legacy with more music, joy, and tradition on July 31-August 1, 2027.
Sponsors and Community Partners
Satchmo SummerFest is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, community partners, and individual donors, whose investments help keep the festival free and accessible to all. This year, 48 unique volunteers filled 84 festival shifts, contributing more than 280 hours of service to support the event and welcome attendees throughout the weekend. Attendees are encouraged to support the festival by donating at festival gates or online at satchmosummerfest.org.
