WWNO 89.9 FM Radio To Air NPR Specials: New Orleans radio station WWNO 89.9 FM will be airing several National Public Radio specials related to the Louis Armstrong Centennial. This will include "Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong", an unprecedented 13-week centennial tribute to late jazz master and American icon. See schedule and program details.

Celebrating 100 Years of Louis Armstrong - A Cultural Hero: Beginning July 2000 and culminating August 2001, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, in partnership with the Louis Armstrong Education Foundation, Inc. and the New Orleans Jazz Commission, is sponsoring a year-long celebration of the life and legacy of New Orleans' favorite son - "Celebrating 100 Years of Louis Armstrong - A Cultural Hero". See preliminary schedule of events.

Second-Line: July 2, 2000; the 2nd Annual New Orleans Cultural Second Line Parade officially saluting the Centennial of Louis Armstrong; participating will be The Devastating Ladies Social Aid and Pleasure Club the Double Nine Social Aid and Pleasure Club, The Westbank Steppers, The Money Wasters, Salin Hasan, with the Mahogany Brass Band and the Treme Brass Band, and Mayor Marc H. Morial, City Officials, and The New Orleans Arts and Cultural Host committee; the procession sets out from Armstrong Park at 5:00 pm, heads from Rampart Street to Toulouse, then to Decatur, moving to Canal, on to Elks Place, proceeding to Loyola Avenue, and disbanding at Duncan Plaza across from City Hall; the parade will be followed by a brass band jam at Duncan Plaza.

Statue Unveiling: July 4, 2000 at 8:00 pm; unveiling of a Louis Armstrong statue at the New Orleans Jazz Walk of Fame (see press release).

Concert: July 4, 2000; trumpeter Kermit Ruffins performs a tribute to Louis Armstrong at Snug Harbor, New Orleans (see press release).

Concert: July 27, 2000; a benefit concert for the Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp featuring Kidd Jordan, Clyde Kerr, Alvin Batiste, and Germaine Bazzle; The Parish at House of Blues, New Orleans (call 504 565-8104 for more info).

Concert: August 5, 2000; trumpeters Kermit Ruffins and James Andrews perform sets in a tribute to Louis Armstrong's birthday; The Parish at House of Blues, New Orleans.

"A Musical Tribute to Louis Armstrong" August 25, 2000 - Louis Armstrong was baptised at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 3200 Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana 99 years ago on August 25, 1901. On August 25, 2000 at 7:00 pm Sacred Heart is planning its own free music tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring many local artists who are volunteering their time and talent to provide a truly great musical event. Scheduled performers include Allen Toussaint, James Andrews, Rich Crosby, Rev. Frank Coco, S.J., Germaine Bazzle, Davell Crawford, Joey Winters and Company, Shirley Stewart, Y'Shua Israel, John Joyce, La Renaissance Chorale, and the Archdiocese Gospel Choir - For additional information, please call the Church at (504) 827-1481, Father Dick Nowery, C.S.C. is the pastor - Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 3200 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA (7:00 pm).

The Cutting Edge Music Business Conference Presents A Tribute to Louis Armstrong featuring Film, Music, and Words - September 21, 2000 - Ashe Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. (5:30 pm - 11:00 pm; free admission).

Satchmo! Sunday the St. Augustine Church Choir with special guest John Boutte perform selections from Louis Armstrong's sacred recordings - November 12, 2000 - St. Augustine Church, 1210 Gov. Nicholls St. (10 am - 12:00 noon).

On The Radio: December 16, 2000 - NPR's "Jazzset with Branford Marsalis" airs "100 for Louis and Four Score for Clark Terry is Cause for Celebration!" - Come to Carnegie Hall for a centennial salute to Armstrong with special guest Clark Terry, who turns 80 on December 14. Like Louis, when he lowers his horn, he's ready to sing - airs locally on WWNO 89.9 FM at 9:00 pm.

"Jazz Coming Home... Nicholas Payton Celebrates 100 Years of Louis Armstrong" March 30 - April 1, 2001, presented by the New Orleans Jazz Legacy Foundation (call 504 899-7827 for more info) - scheduled events include:

• March 30 - "Pops and The Children of New Orleans" - Comprehensive workshop at Livingston Middle School in New Orleans featuring an introduction to the life of Louis Armstrong focusing on his early days in New Orleans, followed by instructional sessions and participatory performances with Nicholas Payton. In Partnership with The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and New Orleans Public Schools.

• March 31 - "Jazz, Live at Loa" - The International House Hotel presents a classic Jazz Jam with Nicholas Payton, his father, Walter Payton, and special guests; Tickets $75.00, and up.

• April 01 - The exclusive New Orleans premiere of new works from Grammy winner Nicholas Payton, from his forthcoming Verve Records release "Dear Louis", performed by Mr. Payton and his orchestra with special guests. - Mahalia Jackson Theater of Performing Arts / Tickets $20 - $200, and go on sale on March 7, 2000 via TicketMaster / Proceeds Benefit The NOJLF's Musicians Outreach Programs, The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, and The Armstrong Statue Restoration Fund.

April 01, 2001 - "Drummer and Smoke: Satchmo in New Orleans" - lively panel discussion in which musicians and historians explore the early years of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans, focusing especially on the development of his cornet style within the context of the local music scene. A music performance will follow the discussion - Panelists: Tad Jones, Jack Stewart, Dr. Michael White - Moderator: Bruce Raeburn - being held at the Palm Court Jazz Café in New Orleans (1:30 pm) in conjunction with the Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April 27 - May 6, 2001) to celebrate the Louis Armstrong Centennial - a Louis Armstrong Pavilion will be created in the Fair Grounds Grandstand, featuring exhibits and discussions commemorating the life and influence of the Crescent City's cultural ambassador - musical tributes to Satchmo will be featured throughout this year's Fest, including the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra Tribute to Louis Armstrong with Jon Faddis and special guest Clark Terry (04/28); The Nicholas Payton Armstrong Centennial Celebration (04/28); The Armstrong Alumni All-Stars with Arvell Shaw and Joe Muranyi (04/29); Dr. Michael White's Armstrong Hot Five & Hot Seven with Nicholas Payton and Irakli (04/27); Clive Wilson's Satchmo Serenade w/ guest Butch Thompson (05/03); Louis' Home Cookin': New Orleans Trumpet Tribute with Irvin Mayfield, Gregory Davis, Clyde Kerr Jr., Marlon Jordan and Trombone Shorty (05/05); and Trumpet Summits honoring Armstrong hosted by Walter Payton featuring Kermit Ruffins, James Andrews, Leroy Jones, Gregg Stafford, Chris Clifton, and others (05/04 & 05/06). Check our Jazz Fest page for more info.

New Orleans Jazz Fest Evening Concerts will include The Armstrong Alumni All-Stars featuring stars and legends from the Satchmo Era with Arvell Shaw, Joe Muranyi, Franz Jackson, Tom Baker, Fred Lonzo, Ernest Elly, and Lars Edegran (Musical Director) - April 30 & May 1, 2001 at the Palm Court Jazz Café (8 pm).

August 2 - 4, 2001 - Louis Armstrong Centennial Conference

"A Celebration of the Artistry and Legacy of Louis Armstrong" - sponsored by the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies, University of New Orleans - An international symposium on Armstrong's life and work, featuring jazz scholars and master musicians from around the world. Click here for conference details.

August 4, 2001 - "Satchmo to Marsalis: A Tribute to the Fathers of Jazz"

A benefit concert featuring Ellis Marsalis, all four of his sons, and one of his most well known students - entertainer Harry Connick, Jr. The event, being held at Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena, will be the first time that Wynton, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, along with Harry Connick, Jr., have all appeared on-stage with Ellis at the same time. Click here for additional info.

August 4 & 5, 2001 - Satchmo Summerfest

A celebration in honor of Louis Armstrong featuring live music, exhibitions, concerts, jazz workshops, food booths, a "second line" parade, and more - The Old U.S. Mint - New Orleans, LA - Click here for SummerFest schedule.