French Quarter Festivals, Inc. announced the complete music and culinary lineup for the 18th Annual Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron. The premier American festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Satchmo SummerFest takes place at the Jazz Museum at the Mint on August 3-5, 2018.
The nominal daily admission of $5 (children 12 and under are free) helps support local musicians and pay for the event. Admission also provides access to indoor activities like Pops' Playhouse for Kids powered by Entergy and the Satchmo Legacy Stage featuring discussions and presentations by renowned Armstrong scholars. For more details, please visit satchmosummerfest.org.
Eight Artists Make Festival Debuts
Grammy-winning Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas makes her Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron debut in 2018. The celebrated artist and recent Tulane honorary doctorate recipient is internationally known. Her numerous awards include several Grammy nominations, a 2007 Grammy for After the Rain, W.C. Handy Award, Offbeat Magazine Award, Big Easy Award, and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. Irma Thomas, who performs on Sunday, August 5, said "Mr. Armstrong was an influence on a lot of young children, including me. I never thought I would be in the business but then saw him as King Zulu when I was nine years old. That parade passed right in front of my house and left such an impression!"
Other 2018 Satchmo SummerFest debuts include: Aurora Nealand & The Royal Roses, Bonerama, Doyle Cooper Jazz Band, Dwayne Burns and His New Orleans Band, James Williams, Mayumi Shara & New Orleans Jazz Letters, and Where Ya At Brass Band. Two tented stages will provide three days of musical performances. The lineup includes returning favorites Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr., Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Corey Henry's Treme Funktet, Ellis Marsalis, Jeremy Davenport, Preservation Brass, and a Trumpet Tribute presented by Popeyes featuring Ashlin Parker. Click here for the complete schedule.
Culinary Lineup Includes Fresh New Options
In addition to music, the 2018 Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron will feature cuisine from some of New Orleans' favorite restaurants. New this year is The Big Cheezy and Roux Carre; the Central City market will showcase vendors' most popular dishes. Festival favorites returning for 2018 include Ajun Cajun, Café Dauphine, The Company Burger, Crêpes à la Cart, Lasyone's Meat Pie Restaurant, Palmer's Cuisine, Quintin's Ice Cream, Plum Street Snoballs, and The Praline Connection. Beer and wine lovers will not want to miss the Abita Beer Garden, serving favorites and seasonal brews, and the Sonoma Cutrer Rosé Café. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. will also partner with Eat Fit NOLA by labeling menu items that provide healthy options for those who want to eat clean, count calories, and manage diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. Click here for the complete culinary lineup.
Kickoff Party Tickets Now Available
An Evening with John Boutté
On Thursday, August 2, Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron will kick-off with a fundraiser to benefit French Quarter Festivals, Inc. An Evening of Music by John Bouttè takes place at the beautiful, historic Omni Royal Orleans. The 2018 Spirit of Satchmo winners Ashlin Parker, Bethany Bultman, and Ellis Marsalis will also be honored at the event. Tickets are $65 per person or $100 per couple and available online at satchmosummerfest.org.
Lionel Milton Selected as Poster Artist
New Orleans artist Lionel Milton is this year's Satchmo SummerFest poster artist. Milton started his career as a graffiti artist, and his colorful style and vibrant energy are captured in the poster, which features a young Louis Armstrong. Milton has been commissioned by collectors and companies worldwide, including Uber, ESPN, Red Bull, and Heineken. "I am honored to create the 2018 Satchmo poster. As an artist and native New Orleanian, Satchmo's music was part of my childhood. He was one of the greatest cultural contributors ever! My art is like visual jazz," said Milton.
