The 14^th annual Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron will take place August 1 – 3 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. The premier American jazz festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong is free and open to the public. This event, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), brings musical performances with a focus on traditional and contemporary jazz and brass bands. Naturally, the will be festival dining at "Red Bean Alley" along with three full days of fascinating Satchmo Seminars about New Orleans music and Louis Armstrong inside the air-conditioned Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint.

The 2014 Fest brings a dozen first time musical performances highlighted by Brass-A-Holics, The Ella & Louie Tribute Band and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Returning favorites include Kermit Ruffins, Leroy Jones, and Yoshio Toyama & the Dixie Saints. Other activities this weekend include dance lessons, family fun inside the Mint, and the Satchmo Book Nook sponsored by the New Orleans Public Library.

The kickoff parade will be led by the Roots of Music at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, August 1st. The full band will second line from Washington Artillery Park to the festival grounds where a press conference will be held at 11:00 a.m. In addition to making special announcements, festival organizers will honor the legacy of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong by presenting a check to Roots of Music. Jason Harrelson, Trumpeter and Founder of Harrelson Trumpets, will also make a special presentation to the Festival. The opening day parade and press conference are open to the public - do not miss this heartwarming, unique event and the opening of this major summer Festival!

In addition to a weekend full of great music, food, seminars, movies, and children's activities, Satchmo SummerFest features an array of special events including the annual Jazz Mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Treme, a traditional second line parade, and the annual 'Trumpet Tribute' which closes the festival Sunday night with a Satchmo birthday party. For more information, please visit www.fqfi.org.