The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award® was inaugurated in 1974 with the consent of his widow shortly after this great jazz artist died in 1971. It honors the outstanding jazz musician at each high school.  The Pioneer Band Program presents the Louis Armstrong Award to the most outstanding Pioneer jazz band member. 

Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), known around the world as Satchmo, was widely recognized as a founding father of jazz - a uniquely American art form. His influence as an artist and cultural icon is very much alive today. During his career, Louis Armstrong developed a way of playing jazz as an instrumentalist and vocalist which has had an impact on all musicians to follow. He recorded hit songs for five decards; composed dozens of songs that have become jazz standards; performed an average of 300 concerts each year, with his frequent tours to all parts of the world earning him the nickname "Ambassador Satch;" and through the years entertained millions, from heads of state and royalty to the kids on the stoop in Corona, New York.