Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc.
OUR HISTORY
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. on January 15, 1987 celebrated the grand opening of the
"Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. Music Center". The center was created to keep the name of Louis Daniel Armstrong alive, keep his music alive, and create musical ambassadors the likes of Louis Armstrong, and furnish the necessary tools needed for the aspiring musicians. The center consisted of two formal rehearsal studios, two piano rooms, a film room, and museum. The center was the Mecca for musicians, and opened its doors to the general public to experience and enjoy the beauty of music.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. also produced the historical Jazz Series made for television entitled
"New Orleans Jazz, The First Days" that featured Jazz Historians: Al Rose author of the books "New Orleans Jazz the Family Album, Storyville, and I Remember Jazz", Dr. William Russell of the "William Russell Collection"; Dick Allen, former curator of the William Ransom Hogan Jazz Archive - Tulane University; Don Marquis, authors of the book "In Search of Buddy Bolden", and a host of Jazz Historians from around the world.
"Jazz the first Days" television series is used throughout the Louisiana school system to teach school students New Orleans Jazz History.The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc., in 1989 created the "Joy to the Seniors" project. This program was dedicated to providing free music performances for senior citizens.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc.
On May 5, 1985
the Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc.
was registered with the State of Louisiana,
and received it's incorporation in 1989.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. - Jazz Gallery and Music Center
Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. - Jr. Goodwill Ambassadors at Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans, LA
In 1989, the Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. created the "Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. - Jr. Goodwill Ambassadors" program designed for young people 9 - 16 years of age. The Jr. Goodwill Ambassadors for 144 hours were taught diplomacy, ethics, museum work, music, tennis, golf, and dance. At programs end, the young people upon examination retained more than 85% of subjects taught.
The International Association of Jazz Educators highest award presented to the Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc., on July 4, 1991 celebrated the completion of its mission, and continues to fulfill its mission with pride, and perserverance.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. created the first New Orleans Jazz History Tour entitled "Jazz the First Days". The tour provides more than 170 registered Jazz sites covering more than 100 years of New Orleans History. The tour presently serve as training grounds for music teachers of the Louisiana School System, and training of docents for the Louisiana State Tour Guides, under the directorship of the "Friends of the Cabildo".
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc.,
on January 14, 1990 was awarded the International Association of Jazz Educators highest award for its musical education programs held weekly at the Old U.S. Mint Building, New Orleans, LA.The International Association of Jazz Educators paid a special tribute to Mr. Louis Daniel Armstrong with his induction into their Hall of Fame.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. with the support of the Aquarium of America produced the first 3-day "Louis Armstrong Classic Jazz Festival" held at Woldenberg Park. The festival was an overwhelming success entertaining many thousands of visitors from around the world
September 14, 15, 16, 1990.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. - Eddie Edwards, Don Marquis, and Williams Farrell working with the U.S. Postal Service spearheaded the campaign for the issuing of the first Louis Armstrong stamp.
This project took 10 years of lobbying and the collection of more than forty thousand signatures. The stamp was formally issued September 1, 1995 in New Orleans, LA.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. created the famous photographic exhibit "Jazz the First Days" presently displayed at the Louis Armstrong Airport representing more than 100 years of New Orleans Jazz History, which has been viewed by more than 10 million visitors.
The Louis Armstrong Foundation, Inc. in 1994 working in conjunction with the Mayors Office and the New Orleans Police Department addressing the growing epidemic of teenage murders one on one problem, created the "Horns and Drums for Guns" project.