Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis Brings “Louis” to Life in Chandler 
Thursday, May 22 | 7:00PM 

This spring, Chandler Center for the Arts welcomes an unforgettable musical experience that pays tribute to jazz’s rich legacy and one of its most iconic figures—Louis Armstrong. On May 22, 2025, world-renowned trumpeter, composer, and jazz advocate Wynton Marsalis will take the stage with pianist Cecile Licad and a stellar 11-piece jazz ensemble to perform a live score to Louis, a silent film inspired by the early life of the jazz legend himself.

Louis is a visually captivating and emotionally stirring contemporary silent film that reimagines Armstrong’s childhood in 1900s New Orleans. Told without dialogue but bursting with rhythm, the film traces young Louis’ journey through the vibrant and, at times, harsh streets of Storyville—the birthplace of jazz. The film is a love letter to the culture and conditions that shaped Armstrong’s genius, and it’s told entirely through expressive cinematography, period imagery, and, most importantly, music. That’s where Marsalis comes in.

A towering figure in American music, Wynton Marsalis has spent his life preserving, promoting, and elevating jazz to the cultural status it deserves. Born in New Orleans like Armstrong, Marsalis was immersed in music from an early age, performing with everything from funk bands to classical orchestras. His career skyrocketed in the 1980s, and since then he has performed over 5,000 concerts across the globe, recorded more than 110 albums, and composed over 600 works.
Marsalis brings his deep understanding of jazz history and his groundbreaking artistry to the Louis score. The music pulses with classic New Orleans flavor: hot jazz, barrelhouse blues, and swinging ragtime melodies that echo Armstrong’s spirit. But this is no nostalgic retread. Marsalis and Licad—an acclaimed classical pianist known for her emotional depth and precision—inject every moment with fresh energy, creating a bridge between the past and present.

The result is a stunning blend of film and live performance that brings the silent movie era back to life. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or new to the genre, Louis is a rare opportunity to experience jazz in one of its most dynamic forms: live, spontaneous, and tied to the heart of a story that shaped American music forever.

Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss your chance to witness this masterwork of music and film right here in Chandler.