Photo Flash: Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and More at Louis Armstrong House Museum 2012 Gala

On Tuesday, Dec. 4th the Manhattan Penthouse was swinging as Louis Armstrong lovers from around the world gathered to celebrate Armstrong's legacy and raise funds for the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Scroll below for photos from the event, featuring Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Heath and more!

The Museum honored Stanley Crouch, distinguished author and President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation; Jimmy Heath, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and Queens College Professor Emeritus; and George Wein, legendary jazz impresario and Chairman of the Newport Festivals Foundation, for their pioneering work to preserve and promote the cultural legacy of Louis Armstrong. Each honoree received a "Louie" award. The great Wynton Marsalis surprised the crowd joining the festivities to introduce Stanley Crouch.

After the awards ceremony, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Centennial Band gave a performance that had the crowd cheering. Jimmy Heath sat-in on soprano saxophone and performed "What a Wonderful World."

The Louis Armstrong House Museum is the perfectly preserved home of Louis and Lucille Armstrong in Corona, Queens. The Museum's programs feature house tours, jazz concerts, educational events and community outreach. It is a National Historic Landmark and New York City Landmark; and what was once a stack of 72 shipping cartons of "Satchmo's stuff" has grown to become the largest research archives in the world for any jazz musician.

More information about the Louis Armstrong House Museum can be found online at www.LouisArmstrongHouse.org or by calling the Museum at 718.478.8274. The Museum is located at 34-56 107th Street in Corona, Queens. Thanks to the vision and funding of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, the Louis Armstrong House Museum welcomes visitors from all over the world, six days per week, 52 weeks per year.

(front row) Jimmy Heath, George Wein, Stanley Crouch (back row) Wynton Marsalis, Michael Cogswell and Jerry Chazen

Jimmy Heath

Wynton Marsalis and Queens College President James Muyskins