Community Partner Event| Little Satchmo

To the world, Louis Armstrong is iconic—a symbol of musical genius, unparalleled success and unassailable character. To Sharon Preston Folta, he was, simply, Dad. Despite the enduring celebration and study of Armstrong’s life and career, no one, save for close family and friends, knows Sharon exists. Even in the trumpeter’s death she remains Armstrong’s secret—the product of a two-decade-long affair between the long-married musician, and the vaudeville dancer Lucille Preston. And for more than half a century, she has lived her life hiding in the shadows of her father’s fame. Until now. Now, Sharon shares her story—extraordinary because of who her father was, but universal in its reach toward generations who have grown up in fatherless households, searching for a keen understanding of their own blood, their own DNA, their own Legacy. Little Satchmo is an extraordinary tale of identity, loss, and one daughter’s ultimate search for truth—and her father’s love.

Directed by: John Alexander

Executive Producers: Sharon Preston-Folta, Emily Bonavia, Susan Houston

Producers: Lea Umberger, J.C. Guest

About the Organizations Involved

New Heritage Theatre Group in partnership with the Museum of the City of New York, Harlem Heritage Now and Jazzmobile are collaborating to present the matinee screening of the documentary film "Little Satchmo. " This screening of a Harlem-connected story by famed trumpeter Louis Armstrong's daughter Sharon is open to senior centers, reservations required. 

New Heritage Theatre Group, the oldest Black non-profit theater company in New York City, originated in 1964 under the name New Heritage Repertory Theatre by the late Roger Furman, a revered playwright, director, actor and lecturer, who began his career in the 1940s with the American Negro Theatre in Harlem. Its mission, to preserve and sustain classic works of Black theatre. In 1983, Voza Rivers, an award winning music and theatre producer took over the company, and reorganized under the name New Heritage Theatre Group (NHTG). Voza expanded the mission to provide training, experience and international explosure to veteran and emerging artists. New Heritage Theatre Group presentations reflect the historical, social and political experiences of African and Latino descendants in America and abroad.

Harlem Heritage Now is a multimedia marketing campaign that promotes a powerful collaboration of Harlem's arts and cultural institutions and celebrates Harlem’s history, culture, and excellence in the arts. It is designed to promote Harlem as a premier destination for visitors from around the world in order to benefit Harlem's arts, hospitality, and small business economy, and provide its residents with job opportunities, recognition, and cultural enrichment.  Support for Harlem Heritage Now is provided by a Market New York grant from I LOVE NY/New York State's Division of Tourism as part of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Jazzmobile's mission is to present, preserve, promote and propagate America's classical music, Jazz. Founded in 1964 by National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, pianist, Dr. Billy Taylor and philanthropist and arts administrator, Ms. Daphne Anstein, Jazzmobile is the first U.S. not-for-profit arts and cultural organization created just for Jazz. Since the beginning, we have been bringing high quality Jazz performances and education programs to area residents, tourists and other visitors, reaching over 4,000,000 people living or visiting New York City. Our national programs brought us to other cities in the US; and the 'Super Jazz Band' had us touring cities in Europe and Japan.

Whether on the street, in a park or at a major concert hall here or abroad, Jazzmobile works in partnership with like-minded organizations to present high quality Jazz performances that enrich the culture and imbue new life into the surrounding area.

Event Timeline:
3:00 pm - Doors open to Ronay Menschel Hall
3:30 pm - Welcome & Film Introduction
4:00 pm - Screening of Little Satchmo (60 mins)
5:00 pm - Closing Remarks Film Ends Museum Closes