The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation has entered into a new licensing partnership with Downtown Music Publishing to strengthen the stewardship and global distribution of the jazz icon's intellectual property. This agreement positions DMP as the Foundation's licensing and administration partner, responsible for managing authorized uses of Armstrong's work across music, media, and other platforms.
According to LAEF Executive Director Jackie Harris, the agreement reflects the Foundation's commitment to honoring Armstrong's legacy with integrity and respect while navigating the complexities of rights management in today's evolving entertainment industry. "The new licensing agreement is effective immediately and represents a collaborative effort to balance legacy preservation with rights management in an evolving global entertainment industry," Harris stated.
Jedd Katrancha, Chief Creative Officer of Downtown Music Publishing, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting DMP's honor in supporting LAEF's mission of education and advocacy for what he called "the most impactful musician in American history." The collaboration aims to connect global audiences with Armstrong's pioneering body of work while ensuring proper management of his intellectual property.
The significance of this partnership extends beyond simple licensing arrangements. By working with Downtown Music Publishing, which brings extensive global expertise in catalog administration, sync, licensing, and rights services through its network including Songtrust and Downtown Music Publishing Africa, the Foundation seeks to expand opportunities for mission-aligned uses of Armstrong's music and trademarks. This strategic move is designed to generate vital support for LAEF's educational programs, grants, and cultural initiatives that perpetuate the legacies of both Louis and Lucille Armstrong.
For the music industry, this partnership represents a model for how cultural foundations can collaborate with professional publishing entities to protect artistic legacies while maximizing their positive impact. The agreement ensures that Armstrong's work—described by the Foundation as "the most important creative force in the early development and perpetuation of America's music, Jazz"—will reach new audiences while supporting the educational mission established by the Armstrongs when they founded the organization in 1969 to "give back to the world some of the goodness he received."
This development matters because it demonstrates how cultural institutions can adapt to modern licensing environments while maintaining their core educational missions. The partnership between LAEF and DMP creates a framework that could influence how other musical legacies are managed, balancing commercial considerations with cultural preservation. For more information about the organizations involved, visit https://www.louisarmstrongfoundation.org and https://www.downtownmusic.com.
