Louis Armstrong Center Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, June 29th, 2023, the Louis Armstrong House Museum unveiled the highly anticipated Louis Armstrong Center. The day was filled with music and festivities, capturing the essence of the legendary jazz musician's legacy.
The new Louis Armstrong Center in Corona, Queens, is poised to expand the museum's vision of preserving Armstrong's profound impact on music while bringing an abundance of music, fun, and education to the local community. The Center will offer a range of activities including performances, lectures, films, and exciting experiences for K-12 students. Notably, the Center will provide trumpet lessons, a tribute to the generous donation made by the Karnofsky family, who helped Louis Armstrong acquire his first trumpet.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony commenced with a series of impassioned remarks from esteemed government officials, community leaders, and artistic partners. Their words echoed the profound significance of the new Center for the Queens community and its potential to serve as a global landmark, immortalizing Armstrong's legacy. Prominent speakers included Regina Bain, the Executive Director of the Louis Armstrong Center, Council Member Francisco Moya, NYC Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Lori Cambo, Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, Queens College President Frank Wu, Executive Director of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation Jackie Harris, Chair of Queens Community Board 3 Frank Taylor, Director of Archival Collections Ricky Riccardi, and Curator of the Here to Stay exhibition Jason Moran. Throughout their addresses, the speakers emphasized the years of meticulous work invested in bringing the Louis Armstrong Center to life, underscoring the importance of fostering inclusive communities, education, and the universal language of music.
NYC Commissioner Lori Cambo passes the microphone to two young boys, allowing them to share their experience of living on the same street as the iconic Louis Armstrong Center.
Following the heartfelt speeches, the crowd rose from their seats, captivated by the enchanting sounds of trumpeters. They joined the procession, marching across the street from the Historic House Museum to the entrance of the Louis Armstrong Center, where a new exhilarating musical surprise awaited them. The award-winning jazz pianist Jason Moran graced the occasion with a mesmerizing solo piano performance, setting the stage for the ceremonial ribbon cutting that would soon follow.
Jason Moran shares a few words after his solo piano performance.
As the ribbon was ceremoniously cut, guests were welcomed into the extraordinary Louis Armstrong Center, a state-of-the-art building that houses the awe-inspiring 700-piece Louis Armstrong Archive. This impressive collection stands as the largest archive dedicated to a jazz musician in the world. Stepping inside, visitors were greeted by the art exhibition Here To Stay, curated by Jason Moran, the Artistic Director for Jazz at The Kennedy Center. In an adjoining room, a 75-seat performance space awaited, where students from Frank Sinatra High School showcased their talent, delivering a captivating jazz performance. This vibrant display served as a reminder that Louis Armstrong's spirit and influence continue to thrive, resonating with audiences of all generations.
The Louis Armstrong House Museum's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Louis Armstrong Center was a testament to the enduring power of music and the remarkable vision of those dedicated to preserving Armstrong's legacy. As the Center opens its doors to the community, it promises to be a haven for inspiration, education, and the celebration of an extraordinary musical genius.
