Shortly after Louis Armstrong’s death in 1971, New Orleans Mayor Moon Landrieu began planning for the development of Armstrong Park and Memorial.
While the park itself was controversial with residents of the surrounding historically Black Tremé neighborhood, the city proceeded with its plans to commemorate the world famous coronet and trumpet player. Armstrong’s statue was created by renowned African American sculptor Elizabeth Catlett in 1978 and later moved to its current location in the park. Armstrong always cited close ties to the Black working class “back of town” neighborhoods of his childhood and to musicians like Joe Oliver, whom he played with in the jazz clubs of Storyville. However, alongside many other African Americans, he left the city in 1922 in the Great Migration north and west, seeking to escape the violence and restrictions of the Jim Crow South. He never returned to live in the city, spending his life primarily in Chicago and New York, and giving concerts all over the world. Even simply performing with his racially integrated band in New Orleans was impossible under Jim Crow laws. In protest, Armstrong announced in 1956 that he would no longer perform in New Orleans due to the city’s ban on mixed race bands. Asked to play at a dedication of a playground in Jefferson Parish to be named after him, he replied: “I am accepted all over the world, and when New Orleans accepts me, I will go home.” He only returned to the city to perform after the Civil Rights Act of 1965 was passed.
Nearby Sites of Interest
Sculptures at Armstrong Park
Louis Armstrong Park, 701 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116
Impressive public art dedicated to Mardi Gras Indian Chief, Tootie Montana, gospel great, Mahalia Jackson, and jazz pioneer, Buddy Bolden.
Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant
Golden Feather Mardi Gras Indian Gallery
704 N. Rampart
New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
504-258-4282
Call for Reservations
Established by Shaka and Na’imah Zulu, Golden Feather is a location that offers to both tourists and locals the rich history and stories of the Mardi Gras Indians through the beauty and splendor of a gallery, gift shop, restaurant, and supply house. Also presented at this house of art are lectures and sewing demonstrations by Mardi Gras Indian Chief, Shaka Zulu.
Learn More
- Louis Armstrong, Louis Armstrong: In His Own Words: Selected Writings (Oxford UP, 1999).
- Louis Armstrong, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans (Da Capo Press, 1954).
- Thomas Brothers, Louis Armstrong: Master of Modernism (Norton and Co., 2014).
- Thomas Brothers, Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans (Norton and Co., 2007).
- Thomas Brothers, Louis Armstrong: Master of Modernism (Norton and Co., 2014).