Louis Armstrong Foundation Partners with Downtown Music Publishing to Expand Legacy Management

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation announced a new licensing agreement with Downtown Music Publishing to continue and increase stewardship and international reach of the legacy of the iconic jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong. Under the agreement, DMP will serve as the Foundation's licensing and administration partner to support and oversee the management of the authorized use of Armstrong's intellectual property across music, media and all other platforms.

This partnership matters because it represents a strategic effort to balance legacy preservation with rights management in an evolving global entertainment industry. The agreement reflects the Foundation's commitment to honoring Louis Armstrong's legacy with integrity, vision and respect while ensuring his pioneering body of work reaches broader audiences worldwide. The collaboration enables more thoughtful and mission-aligned uses of Armstrong's music and trademarks while generating vital support for educational programs, grants, and cultural initiatives.

Jackie Harris, LAEF Executive Director, emphasized that the new licensing agreement is effective immediately and represents a collaborative effort to balance legacy preservation with rights management. Jedd Katrancha, Chief Creative Officer of Downtown Music Publishing, noted that DMP is honored to work with the LAEF and support their mission of education, giving, and advocating for the legacy of the most impactful musician in American history. The partnership aims to connect more global audiences to Louis Armstrong's work through Downtown Music Publishing's extensive global expertise in catalog administration, sync, licensing, and global rights services.

The implications of this announcement extend beyond simple licensing arrangements. By partnering with Downtown Music Publishing, which serves as the trusted partner for some of the world's most beloved songwriters and storied music catalogs, the Foundation gains access to specialized expertise that can help navigate complex international rights landscapes. This is particularly important for preserving the integrity of Armstrong's legacy while allowing his music to reach new generations through various media platforms. The partnership also supports the Foundation's educational mission, as revenue generated from licensing will fund programs that perpetuate the legacies of Louis and Lucille Armstrong throughout the world.

This agreement represents a significant development in how cultural institutions manage intellectual property in the digital age. The Foundation, founded and funded by Louis and Lucille Armstrong in 1969 to give back to the world some of the goodness he received, now has a professional partner to help manage Armstrong's universal and unmatched influence as an artist and cultural icon. Through this partnership, Armstrong's status as the most important creative force in the early development and perpetuation of America's music, Jazz, receives enhanced protection and promotion on a global scale. For more information about the organizations involved, visit https://www.louisarmstrongfoundation.org and https://www.downtownmusic.com.