Louis Armstrong House Museum Hosts Jazzmobile Block Party Today

The Louis Armstrong House Museum presents it's annual Jazzmobile Block Party today, August 20th from 4pm-9pm at the Louis Armstrong House Museum. This free event, hosted by Jazzmoblie, is the museum's finale to its Summer with Satchmo season!

The party shuts down 107th Street in front of the museum. At 4pm, the event begins with family programming: a craft workshop presented by the Queens Museum of Art; story time with author Mick Carlon who will read excerpts from his book Travels with Louis; and, a hula hoop extravaganza with The Hoop Movement. The music portion of the program begins at 7pm with the great Willie Martinez & La Familia Sextet. The block party is a free event with gourmet food vendors will that sell their yummy treats.

La Familia Sextet includes Willie Martinez, Drums & Vocals; Nicki Denner, Piano; Jennifer Vincent, Bass; Renato Thoms, Percussion; J. Walter Hawkes, Trombone and Ken Hitchcock, Baritone Saxophone. This ensemble features the original compositions of drummer, percussionist and vocalist Willie Martinez, as well as those of the members of La Familia, all top-notch composers in their own right. La Familia Sextet's music is a perfect example of how the marriage of Afro-Caribbean rhythm and the harmonic structure and improvisational nature of American jazz continues to remain fresh, exhilarating and timeless. The baritone sax and trombone front line in this group offers a unique treatment for this genre and, combined with infectious rhythm section, smokes to the very last note.

La Familia Sextet is built on the styles of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, Jerry Gonzalez's Fort Apache and Hilton Ruíz representing the very best in New York Style Latin Jazz. La Familia Sextet presents a musical journey exploring Latin Jazz that continues to thrive and flourish on the streets of the Big Apple, from Alphabet City to East Harlem, the Bronx and Queens.

The Louis Armstrong House Museum is located at 34-56 107th Street in Queens, New York. The museum is open Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm. Travel directions and more at LouisArmstrongHouse.org or 718.478.8274.