Celebrating the Birthday of Louis Armstrong

Trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, Satch, and Pops, was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. He is the most famous and influential jazz musician of all time, and was a beloved American icon and cultural ambassador. He was born into poverty, learned to play the coronet at the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys in 1913, and emerged as a trumpet virtuoso whose highly inventive, improvised solos transformed jazz. His distinctive, gravelly voice and charismatic stage presence propelled him to great popularity, both at home and internationally, and not just with his musical recordings, but on radio, films and television. He has innumerable popular songs, but he is best known for the heartwarming “What A Wonderful World” and the cheerful “Hello Dolly”, for which he won a Grammy in 1964. Armstrong passed away in his sleep from a heart attack, a month before his 70th birthday, on July 6, 1971. A 12-foot statue of Armstrong, trumpet in hand, is located in Louis Armstrong Park, located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just across from the French Quarter.

Satchmo Summerfest is the premier American festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis Armstrong, and it takes place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the U.S. Mint the first weekend of August.

Celebrating the Birthday of Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong, also known as Satchmo, Satch, and Pops, was born in New Orleans on August 4, 1901. He is the most famous and influential jazz musician of all time, and was a beloved American icon and cultural ambassador. He was born into poverty, learned to play the coronet at the Colored Waif’s Home for Boys in 1913, and emerged as a trumpet virtuoso whose highly inventive, improvised solos transformed jazz. His distinctive, gravelly voice and charismatic stage presence propelled him to great popularity, both at home and internationally, and not just with his musical recordings, but on radio, films and television. He has innumerable popular songs, but he is best known for the heartwarming “What A Wonderful World” and the cheerful “Hello Dolly”, for which he won a Grammy in 1964. Armstrong passed away in his sleep from a heart attack, a month before his 70th birthday, on July 6, 1971. A 12-foot statue of Armstrong, trumpet in hand, is located in Louis Armstrong Park, located in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just across from the French Quarter.

Happy Birthday, Amanda Shaw!

Cajun fiddler, singer and actress Amanda Christian Amaya-Shaw was born on August 2, 1990, in Mandeville, Louisiana, and she studied classical violin starting at age four. At the age of eight, she began playing and performing Cajun music, and also became the youngest soloist to perform in the Baton Rouge Symphony. In 2008, Shaw opted to obtain her G.E.D. rather than complete her schooling so she could travel around the country to perform.

Shaw was inspired by musicians Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Bonnie Raitt, and others, and remained devoted to her culture and musical heritage. Her music is a diverse blend of Cajun and country, with some blues and rock n roll mixed in. Shaw and her band, The Cute Guys, appear throughout the New Orleans area, including at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival. She has recorded albums and EPs, and has appeared in two Disney Channel movies filmed in New Orleans. Shaw was one of the narrators in the 2006 documentary Hurricane on the Bayou, about Hurricane Katrina and the erosion of Louisiana's wetlands. The film features her music along with that of co-narrator Tab Benoit and New Orleans native Allen Toussaint. Her talent has been recognized by many, and she has received numerous awards including the Big Easy Award for Best Female Entertainer, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Future Famer, and Offbeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat.

Shaw is an eminently talented musician with a magnetic personality. Be sure to catch her and her band at your next opportunity. Until then, let’s celebrate her talent by wishing her a very happy birthday!

Photo: Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau

Happy Birthday, Delfeayo Marsalis!

Trombonist, producer and educator Delfeayo Marsalis was born in New Orleans on July 28, 1965, and is the son of Ellis Louis Marsalis, Jr., a pianist and music professor. He is also the grandson of Ellis Marsalis, Sr., and the brother of Wynton Marsalis (trumpeter), Branford Marsalis (saxophonist), and Jason Marsalis (drummer). Delfeayo also has two brothers who are not musicians, Ellis Marsalis III and Mboya Kenyatta. Delfeayo founded the New Orleans-based Uptown Music Theatre in 2000, which has trained over 300 youth and staged eight original musicals, all of which are based upon the mission of "community unity". Delfeayo has recorded 8 of his own albums and is known for his work as a producer of acoustic jazz recordings. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and in 2004 received an MA in jazz performance from the University of Louisville. Marsalis, with his father and brothers, are group recipients of the 2011 NEA Jazz Masters Award. Today we celebrate the birthday of an incredibly talented musician and producer. Happy Birthday, Delfeayo!

Photo: Delfeayo Marsalis

Seven Days of Satch! A Virtual Celebration of Louis Armstrong from July 27 to August 2!

Seven Days of Satch! is a virtual celebration of Louis Armstrong and Satchmo Summerfest's 20th Anniversary, taking place July 27 to August 2. Starting on July 27, enjoy thematic programming on WWOZ, and August 1-2, catch original performances by Satchmo SummerFest artists on Facebook Live!

Lineup includes James Andrews, John Boutté, Wendell Brunious, Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Herlin Riley, Treme Brass Band, and Tuba Skinny. Musical performances sponsored by the New Orleans National Jazz Historical Park will be filmed onsite at the New Orleans Jazz Museum and shared on Facebook Live Saturday, August 1 – Sunday, August 2.

Celebrating National Scotch Day!

On July 27th, we celebrate National Scotch Day! Scotch whisky dates back to the 15th century, and there are five distinct categories: single malt Scotch, single grain Scotch, blended malt Scotch, blended grain Scotch, and blended Scotch. Protected by law in 1933, and further in 1988 with the Scotch Whisky Act, specific guidelines must be followed when making Scotch. First, it must be made in Scotland, and only malted barley may be used, along with water and yeast. Other grains can be included, but no fermentation additives, per law. Scotch must also be aged in oak barrels for at least three years and have an ABV of less than 94.8%. Got it? Good! Now sit back and enjoy some Scotch to celebrate this very special day!