Satchmo’s Kids – More Information

In 1969 with $40,000, Louis and Lucille Armstrong created The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Inc. to support music education for children.  Mr. Armstrong was the first Jazz artist to create an organization of its type.

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation supports organizations that are perpetuating the legacies of Louis and Lucille Armstrong through education, performance, and training.  Support encompasses sponsoring and supporting school programs of all levels, a music therapy program, music educators and professional musicians. Without our financial support many of the programs we fund would be significantly diminished, lose impact or not exist. 

This year marks 50 years of philanthropy by Foundation.  Its legacy of supporting music education is one of the oldest in the country.   To celebrate this 50-year milestone, the Foundation is initiating a fund raising effort to help expand and enhance our distinguished programs in schools and in communities.

We are targeting programs we know are professionally and efficiently run with proven records of success. Our goal is to enhance and expand their teaching and outreach capacities.   “Satchmo’s Kids” enables youngsters to experience the joy of music performance, music as a cultural experience and music as a means to learn, study and grow. Increased resources will bring these programs of merit to more children as well as allow more capacity to cultivate creative endeavors.  It will offer teachers and musicians the opportunity to give more master classes, facilitate the acquisition of more instruments and create more opportunities to perform.