Longtime Sarasota resident Sharon Preston-Folta is proud to announce a refreshed edition of her memoir Little Satchmo: Living in the Shadow of My Father, Louis Daniel Armstrong. The book, now reissued by St. Petersburg Press, coincides with what would have been Armstrong’s 125th birthday, giving the author a timely reason to bring her story back into the public eye.
Family secrets and a hidden legacy
Sharon grew up knowing that the world‑famous jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong was her father, though the relationship was kept private for decades. Armstrong was married to another woman, while his affair with Sharon’s mother, vaudeville dancer Lucille “Sweets” Preston, produced Sharon on June 24, 1955. Despite never publicly acknowledging her, Armstrong arranged monthly support payments through his manager and occasionally visited the family, sometimes bringing Sharon along to concerts in the New York area.
Letters, signed photographs, and cassette tapes left by Armstrong formed the core of Sharon’s childhood memories. In a 1962 letter, he wrote, “Give Sharon a big kiss. Tell her if she’s forgotten ol’ Satchmo, I don’t blame her… I love her and am saving money especially for her college education.” He even purchased a home for the family in Mount Vernon, New York, during the twelfth year of their affair.
From self‑published memoir to Emmy‑winning documentary
In 2012, twelve years after Armstrong’s death, Sharon self‑published the first edition of her memoir, detailing the challenges of growing up in the shadow of a music legend. The book later inspired a documentary that aired on PBS and earned a Southeast Emmy Award. The new edition updates the narrative, adds fresh photographs, and aligns with the documentary’s continued screenings.
Why the re‑release matters now
“This is the year of my father’s 125th birthday,” Preston‑Folta explained. “It was a great opportunity to re‑publish the story, tie it in with the documentary, and really upgrade the presentation.” The updated memoir not only preserves a personal family history but also offers readers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of mid‑century jazz, Harlem’s Cotton Club, and the touring package shows that featured both Armstrong and the Preston dancing duo.
Healing through truth
Writing the memoir proved cathartic for Sharon. She describes the universal themes of forgiveness and owning one’s legacy without shame. “The secrecy led to the shame, because I had so many questions that weren’t answered,” she wrote. By confronting the past, she says she has been able to move forward and help others understand the complexities of hidden family histories.
Sharon’s mother, who passed away in 2020 at age 98, initially feared the story would bring criticism. In hindsight, she was surprised by the warm reception, noting that people were “happy to meet her” and treated her with respect.
Career and community roots
After earning a B.A. in Communication Arts from the University of Florida, Sharon launched a media career, eventually settling in Sarasota. She spent nine years as an account executive at public radio station WUSF and now works as a consultant and voice‑over artist, remaining active in the local arts community.
Though she once pursued a legal claim to her heritage, the effort ended without result after the death of Lucille Armstrong, who had signed a document stating she had no children with Louis. Nonetheless, Sharon’s perseverance in sharing her story underscores the power of personal testimony in preserving cultural history.
Local impact
The reissued memoir adds another notable cultural work to Sarasota’s vibrant literary scene. Local bookstores and libraries are expected to feature the book in upcoming author events, providing residents an opportunity to engage with a unique chapter of American music history.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
