Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
New Orleans trumpeter Kermit Ruffins will headline the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival in Queens, New York, on July 16.
(Photo: Courtesy Basin Street Records)The third annual Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World festival will take place July 16 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York. The festival, which celebrates the life and legacy of the iconic trumpeter and longtime Queens resident, showcases a diverse music lineup and family-friendly activities.
Keyboardist/vocalist Dr. John, an icon of New Orleans’ music, will headline the festival, along with funk-jazz trio Soulive and Crescent City trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. World-music bands Samba New York, Dahka Band and Folklore Urbano will round out the lineup, adding variety to an eclectic daylong program.
The festival is produced by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College. Jeffrey Rosenstock, executive director of Kupferberg Center for the Arts said, “Not only did Louis Armstrong call Queens his home, he believed in ‘listening to all kinds of music,’ music that can be heard daily throughout our borough’s multicultural communities. Louis traveled around the world sharing his music. Our goal this year is to celebrate his New Orleans roots, and showcase some of the incredible music being played in and around Queens by artists whose origins span the globe.”
The free, all-ages festival also explores the growing culture in Queens beyond music, providing opportunities for face painting, arts and crafts, dancing and a circus.
When not at the music stage or the activities, festival-goers can tour the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which will present a special exhibit for the festival. Armstrong lived at this location, now a National Historic Landmark, from 1943 until his death in 1971.
DownBeat subscribers will recall that the cover story for the October 2014 issue featured a photo session with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon at the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
The third annual Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World festival will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on July 16. While the event is free, visitors are encouraged to register at the festival website.
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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