Louis Armstrong House Museum

07/22/2024

In June 1971, Jack Bradley visited Louis Armstrong at his home in Corona, Queens, shooting photos of Pops in his Den, listening to music, writing letters, and even playing the trumpet. They would be the last photos Bradley would ever take of his longtime friend and our featured in our latest "That's My Home" post:

Our previous post covered Louis Armstrong’s appearance at the “Friendly Fifty” picnic on August 16, 1970, a time when Armstrong was feeling especially good ; the previous day, Arm…

07/20/2024

Michelle Miller visited the Louis Armstrong House Museum and interviewed our Director of Research Collections Ricky Riccardi about the new release “Louis in London” for CBS Saturday Morning—check it out!

07/19/2024

Due to the current global tech outage, our primary ticketing system is temporarily down. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

We have set up alternative links where you can purchase tickets until the issue is resolved. Please use the following links in our bio to continue supporting our events.

Our team is working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We encourage you to stay connected with us through our social media channels and website for further updates.

If you have any immediate concerns or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our ticketing team at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

07/11/2024

Join us on July 20th at 2pm for an unforgettable musical experience in the serene setting of the Louis Armstrong House Museum garden, featuring the renowned trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso.
 

With a sound that resonates through television and movie soundtracks, including notable works such as “Ghost World,” « The Aviator, » « Bessie, » “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and « Boardwalk Empire » (for which the Nighthawks earned a Grammy), Jon-Erik Kellso’s musical journey encompasses over 100 recordings, including his latest masterpiece, “Jon-Erik Kellso and the EarRegulars: Live at the Ear Inn.”

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to experience the magic of Jon-Erik Kellso live in concert amidst the lush gardens of the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

Link in bio!

07/09/2024

The Louis Armstrong House Museum, which has a special connection to CUNY, has been hitting all the right notes! 🎺🎶 It just won a national award for the impact it has had on its community. https://ow.ly/n2tw50St1Q9

07/08/2024

Today represents a major anniversary in the life of Louis Armstrong as it was on July 8, 1922 that King Oliver sent for young Louis to join his band in Chicago! We did a Virtual Exhibit about this moment for the centennial in 2022:

https://virtualexhibits.louisarmstronghouse.org/2022/07/08/ill-never-forget-it-the-100th-anniversary-of-louis-armstrongs-arrival-in-chicago/

And speaking of Centennial, our friends at Archeophone Records have chosen today to announce the upcoming release of “Centennial,” a 4-CD, 2-LP deluxe boxed set containing all of the 1923 King Oliver Creole Jazz Band recordings, lots of bonus material (including a look at what was in Louis’s record collection), and an 80-page book with a 40,000 word essay by our Director of Reaearch Collections Ricky Riccardi! Read all about it below and pre-order before August 1 to get a special discount price. Long live the King!

The 1923 recordings by King Oliver’s working Chicago band are the stuff of legend. Nothing like them had ever been heard on record before, and nothing in jazz would be the same afterward. Here, for the first time, all 37 sides are presented—in release order—on two LPs and two CDs, along with 5...

07/06/2024

Louis Armstrong passed away 53 years ago this morning. Here is the cover of the New York Daily News, as saved by Lucille Armstrong.

The King is dead….long live the King! Make sure to listen to some Pops today! (And make your plans to visit the Louis Armstrong Center—today is our one year anniversary of being open to the public, too. Louis lives!)

07/04/2024

As the cover of this 1969 issue of the NY Daily News states, “Happy Birthday to Satch and U.S.!” Louis Armstrong celebrated his birthday on the Fourth of July and we’re continuing that tradition today with a sold out concert featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III in the Armstrong’s Garden. If you can’t make it to Queens, make sure to listen to WKCR 89.9 for the perfect soundtrack for your celebration (our own Ricky Riccardi joins Matthew Rivera live on air from 9-12 ET). Happy Birthday, Pops!

07/03/2024

On August 16, 1970, Louis Armstrong was the honored guest at a picnic given by the "Friendly Fifty," an organization of jazz musicians over the age of 50. Jack Bradley accompanied Louis to the gathering and shot many photos of Armstrong fraternizing with his fellow musicians, including some of the sidemen from his big band days. Those photos are at the heart of our latest "That's My Home" post--enjoy!

Our last couple of posts in the series were set in early August 1970, when Jack Bradley attended the recording sessions for Louis “Country and Western” Armstrong and the resultant photo…

06/28/2024

This Sunday at 3 pm at the in Flushing Meadows Park, experience a spectacular concert celebrating the timeless music and legacy of Louis Armstrong in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of his iconic concert at the World’s Fair. Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings will take the stage, showcasing their exceptional talent and deep passion for Louis Armstrong’s music.

Gotham Kings is a high energy immersive jazz experience! Two-time Grammy nominated trumpeter, Alphonso Horne has put together an all star band that weaves the sound of New Orleans, Funk, Jazz, and Hip Hop to bring a celebratory spirit that uplifts every room they play. Inspired by the music of King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Gotham Kings uses the virtuosity of the young Louis Armstrong and innovative genius of King Oliver to take you on a journey of sound that encompasses the history of the trumpet and the story of jazz through rags, stomps, shouts and funk! The band has played in venues including Newport, Aspen, and Caramoor Jazz Festival, Louis Armstrong House Museum, Jazz at Lincoln Center and many more! Individually, members of the Gotham Kings have compiled a diverse resume of collaborations with top artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, The Colbert Show and more!

Tickets at the LINK IN OUR STORY!

06/28/2024

Happy “West End Blues” day to all who celebrate! Whatever you’re doing today, take 3 minutes and 20 seconds to listen to this one of the most important recordings of the 20th century, recorded 96 years ago today!

06/26/2024

The Louis Armstrong House Museum mourns the death of vocalist Jewel Brown, who passed away last night at the age of 86. Born in Houston, Brown joined the All Stars in 1961 and toured the world with them until 1968. After putting her career on hold due to family obligations, Jewel had a quite a comeback in recent years, appearing at the 2022 Satchmo Summerfest and even releasing a brand new album in 2023. She was the last surviving member of the All Stars and her strong voice and sparkling personality will be remembered fondly by anyone fortunate enough to spend time in her presence.

06/23/2024

One of the last photos of Louis Armstrong was taken on this date in 1971 when he invited trombonist Tyree Glenn and members of the press over to his home in Corona, Queens to play the trumpet and show that he was feeling strong enough to blow again. One of the songs he played with Tyree was “If We Never Meet Again.” Two weeks later, he was gone.

For the full story on Louis’s final days, see our “That’s My Home” series at the link in our story and below:

https://virtualexhibits.louisarmstronghouse.org/1971-2/

06/21/2024

Yesterday was the first day of summer, a perfect day to listen to “Summer Song,” Dave and Iola Brubeck’s beautiful composition as sung so movingly by Louis Armstrong on “The Real Ambassadors”—and it was a perfect day for us to welcome two very special visitors, Dave and Iola’s son, Darius Brubeck, and his wife Cathy! Darius had last been to the Armstrong House in 1960, where he got to perform a duet with Pops on trumpet! It was wonderful to welcome Darius and Cathy and to show them some Archival treasures—including a telegram Dave and Iola sent to Louis after the only live performance of “The Real Ambassadors” in 1962. Also, we didn’t plan for this but while Darius and Iola were touring Jason Moran’s “Here to Stay” exhibit—which includes a “Real Ambassadors” LP and a Jack Bradley session photo of Dave, Iola, and Louis—songs from “The Real Ambassadors” began playing as part of our random shuffle of background music in the Armstrong Center! How nice of Louis, Dave, and Iola to say hi….

06/18/2024

54 years before "Cowboy Carter," there was Cowboy Armstrong! Our latest "That's My Home" post has dozens of Jack Bradley photos of Louis Armstrong taken in Central Park in 1970 for the album "Louis 'Country and Western' Armstrong." You'll see Louis in a "country" costume and in "western" cowboy gear, in black-and-white and color, posing with a horse, signing autographs for a police officer, and much more--enjoy!

Last time out, we covered the sessions for what turned out to be Louis Armstrong’s final studio album, Louis “Country and Western” Armstrong, produced by Cowboy Jack Clement and I…

06/17/2024

“The Healing Power of the Arts: A Conversation and Workshop”

This event features health experts, artists, and songwriters discussing the benefits of music and the arts in mental and physical healing, disease prevention, and overall well-being. Attendees will learn about creativity’s role in maintaining a healthy body, the arts’ impact on healthy aging, and arts-based mental health interventions. The panel concludes with an interactive songwriting workshop.

Featuring:
Tyreek McDole, a 24-year-old Haitian-American vocalist from sunny Florida, shines brilliantly as his star rises in the bustling New York Scene. With a string of prestigious awards to his name, Tyreek stands out as a rising star in the music world.

It was during the acclaimed Jazz at Lincoln Center’s 2018 Essentially Ellington National Competition that Tyreek made his vocal debut, leaving an indelible mark as he walked away with the prestigious Outstanding Vocalist Award, presented by none other than the iconic Wynton Marsalis.

FREE and open to the public via RSVP!

https://nyc.us14.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4fa04869bd96f76d1578e1714&id=db2e565198&e=491446bdac

06/17/2024

06/13/2024

Our latest "That's My Home" post contains many rare Jack Bradley photos taken during the recording of Louis's final studio album, "Louis 'Country and Western' Armstrong" in August 1970. Produced by Cowboy Jack Clement and and Ivan Mogull, the album featured Armstrong singing 12 popular country and western songs, backed by a top-flight rhythm section from Nashville, who flew up to New York for the sessions. Judging by Bradley's photos, Armstrong had a ball--and even got to try out the steel guitar! (Also don't miss the bonus images of Pops talking with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, taken by Bradley outside the studio in Manhattan!)

Our last few posts have revolved around the many celebrations of Louis Armstrong’s 70th birthday that took place in 1970, beginning with the recording sessions for Louis Armstrong and His Fri…

06/12/2024

Due to popular demand, we’ve added a new batch of tickets for the Juneteenth concert happening this Saturday! 🎶 Almost sold out! If you can’t attend, please email us at [email protected] so we can offer your spot to someone on the waitlist.

Please make sure to arrive by 3:00 PM!
Looking forward to celebrating with all of you! 🎉

Link in bio!

06/12/2024

98 years ago tonight, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five made one of their only public appearances, performing at the big “Cabaret and Style Show” in Chicago! The event was a benefit to support the musician’s union and featured numerous “OKeh Race Records Stars” including King Oliver, Clarence Williams, Richard M. Jones, Butterbeans and Susie, Bertha “Chippie” Hill and more. Here is the original full-page advertisement that appeared in the Chicago Defender, scanned directly from one of Louis and Lil Hardin Armstrong’s scrapbooks. Wish we had that time machine....only $1.10 to get in!

06/10/2024

06/06/2024

We welcomed jazz royalty to the Louis Armstrong House Museum last night—the one and only ! It was an honor to have him tour Pops’s pad and perform at a private event for the Mellon Foundation across the street in the Armstrong Center. Come back soon, Mr. McBride!

06/05/2024

Are you looking to learn a new instrument?

Come learn inside stories of Louis off-stage, about his music and friends, visit his house, and enjoy a first-hand experience with the trumpet led by a stellar jazz artist in New York City! This fun two-hour long program has been created for kids 8-14 years-old who wish to play the instrument. Happening on June 22nd from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

All levels are welcome. Registration is mandatory to participate. You complete your registration when you fill out the registration form in the link in bio!

06/03/2024

Join us for a captivating evening under the stars as The Louis Armstrong House Museum, in collaboration with AMC Networks and Council Member Francisco Moya, presents “ROOFTOP FILMS: ONE HAND DON’T CLAP” on June 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM in the Louis Armstrong House Garden.

7:30 PM: Program Begins
8:00 PM: Live Music Performance
8:30 PM: Screening of “ONE HAND DON’T CLAP”
10:00 PM: Q&A Session

Reserve your tickets today! Link in bio.

05/29/2024

We’re thrilled to announce our first garden concert of the season featuring the incomparable Wycliffe Gordon in observance of Juneteenth.

And guess what? Today’s ‘s birthday!! Help us wish him a fantastic day as we prepare for an incredible afternoon on June 15th at 3pm at the Louis Armstrong House Museum garden.

Reserve your spot now for this free event before tickets run out! 🎺

Link in bio!

05/29/2024

Louis Armstrong celebrated his 70th birthday by taking part in a major tribute concert at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 10, 1970. Jack Bradley was there with his camera and our latest “That’s My Home” post includes photos, clippings, videos, and more from this memorable evening in Newport!

Our previous post dealt with the numerous ways Louis Armstrong’s 70th birthday was being celebrated on July 4, 1970, usually with Jack Bradley involved in some capacity. The grandest of all t…

05/27/2024

Louis Armstrong performs for the troops in Pensacola, Florida in 1941. On this Memorial Day, we salute all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

05/26/2024

Happy Birthday, Miles Davis! “You know you can’t play anything on a horn that Louis hasn’t played - I mean even modern,” Miles famously said in 1958. “I love his approach to the trumpet; he never sounds bad. He plays on the beat - with feeling. That’s another phrase for swing. I also love the way he sings.” Jack Bradley took this photo of Louis and Miles at the “Louis Armstrong and His Friends” recording date, 54 years ago today.

05/24/2024

We Wear The Mask: Underground Stories For Returning Citizens

The Louis Armstrong Center, Queens, NY
30th May 2024, 4:00 pm


Welcome to Ritual for Return!

Within the genre of artivism theater, we invite you to join us on a journey of heightened emotional drama and profound introspection as we deeply engage with the lives of our masked-face characters (returning citizens). As you witness the trials and tribulations they face in an ordinary, seemingly common subway occurrence, you’ll find mirrors reflecting your own struggles and challenges, offering an opportunity to address your deepest fears and vulnerabilities. Let us embrace artivism theater, where storytelling converges with healing to create moments of forgiveness and redemption, in our captivating new performance, « We Wear The Mask: Underground Stories For Returning Citizens. »

This performance is the culmination of the incredible 6 week workshop facilitated by Ritual4Return in collaboration with the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

To RSVP please send an email to : [email protected] or [email protected]

05/24/2024

On May 24, 1994, the Louis Armstrong Archives opened to the public inside Rosenthal Library at Queens College! 30 years later, it has become the world’s largest archives devoted to a single jazz musician. The Archives now make their home in the brand new Louis Armstrong Center, but they are digitized thanks to a grant from Fund II Foundation so are accessible to Armstrong fans and scholars from around the world.

For this 30th anniversary celebration, here are some photos from opening day, including Lionel Hampton cutting the ribbon alongside David Gold of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation; Hampton getting a thumbs up from Byron Stripling during a performance with Loren Schoenberg’s big band; an all-star assemblage with Doc Cheatham, Phil Schaap, Marty Napoleon, Leonard Gaskin, Joe Muranyi, Jimmy Heath, Big Nick Nicholas, Michael Cogswell, David Gold and George Avakian; Big Nick Nicholas posing with QC President Shirley Strum Kenny, Hampton, and Archives Director Michael Cogswell; Byron Stripling singing with Loren Schoenberg’s big band; the late Phil Schaap and his father Walter making the first formal donation to the Archives of a concert program from Paris in 1934!