Louis Armstrong House Museum Gala Honored Acclaimed Jazz Musician Wynton Marsalis In New York On June 18

Performances Celebrated Centennial of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives, with Wycliffe Gordon, Herlin Riley, Bruce Harris, Samara Joy and more

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Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Monday, June 22 - Louis Armstrong House Museum held their annual gala on Thursday, June 18th at 583 Park Avenue inNew York. The unforgettable evening celebrated the extraordinary artistry, leadership, and enduring impact of Wynton Marsalis, and longstanding supporter of culture Morgan Stanley, while supporting the legacy and future of the Louis Armstrong House Museum. This year's celebration also marked the centennial celebration of Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives,continuing to honor their revolutionary legacy. During his acceptance speech, Wynton Marsalis gave a nod to the museum's Executive Director, stating "I love the job Regina (Bain) has done."

This year's gala supports the mission of preserving the legacy of Louis Armstrong and his 60,000 piece archive. The evening brought together friends, supporters, and jazz lovers for a spectacular celebration featuring a special live performance by an extraordinary lineup of acclaimed jazz artists including Grammy-Winning Best New Artist Samara Joy who sang a beautiful rendition of "Stardust" that left the on stage band speechless. Bruce Harris was the musical director for the evening and on Trumpet. He introduced Samara's performance, proudly letting the audience know she was once his student. Presenting Wynton with his award alongside Harris, were Wycliffe Gordon (Trombone) and Herlin Riley (Drums), who have been lifelong friends and collaborators of Wynton's. The band was rounded out by world class musicians Jon-Erik Kellso (Trumpet), Wycliffe Gordon (Trombone), Evan Arntzen (Clarinet & Saxophone), Russell Hall (Bass), Ricky Riccardi (Piano) and Joe Block (Piano). Honoree Sandra Richards accepted her award on behalf of Morgan Stanley with a moving speech. The audience also heard from Regina Bain LAHM Executive Director, Council Member Shanel Thomas-Henry, Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Jay Hershenson LAHM Board Chair and others.

Executive Director Regina Bain shared "We at the Louis Armstrong House Museum are overjoyed! This celebration of Wynton Marsalis' leadership, the centennial of the Hot Fives, the support of Morgan Stanley, and our beloved community during this thrilling time in New York has been amazing. The celebration will continue as we uplift the Armstrong legacy in Queens, throughout New York and around the world."

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Credit: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

This October, Louis Armstrong in Ghana will open the newest exhibition at the museum. This multinational exhibition and music exchange commemorates the 70th anniversary of Armstrong's initial concert tour to Accra, Ghana. The exhibition, accompanying performances and educational workshops of Armstrong in Ghana will explore Armstrong's legacy as an American and global icon, navigating cultural and political complexities as he toured his music throughout the world. The opening weekend has been set for October 1-3. Looking ahead to 2027, the museum will celebrate the 60th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's classic 'What a Wonderful World'.

This past fall, the Mayor and Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner announced the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, NY as one of five new members of the city's Cultural Institutions Group (CIG). These five new groups will receive substantial subsidies for operations and energy costs, as well as capital investment from the city. The new CIGs will broaden this collection of world-class institutions, making it even more vibrant and reflective of the city they serve.

ABOUT LOUIS ARMSTRONG HOUSE MUSEUM

Louis Armstrong is a definitive arbiter of Jazz and America's first Black popular music icon. He entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on his stoop in the working-class neighborhood of Corona, Queens. The Louis Armstrong House Museum preserves this legacy by offering guided tours of the historic home and preserving Armstrong's 60,000-piece archives. The Museum is in the midst of a dramatic physical and programmatic transformation, marked most visibly by the opening of the new Louis Armstrong Center, located across the street from the historic home. The new Center helps advance our mission of preserving the legacy of Louis and Lucille Armstrong, and to live their values of artistic excellence, education and community. The expanded campus will become a new, international destination celebrating Armstrong's distinctive role in African-Diaspora history and vitality, offering year-round exhibitions, performances, readings, lectures, and screenings through an array of public programs for all ages. With longstanding partners, Queens College and the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, and with a growing list of supporters and programmatic collaborators, the Museum will become a Queens-based hub for inspiration and learning, economic development and tourism.

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