In the vibrant world of Broadway, a new musical about the legendary Louis Armstrong has taken center stage. With its opening scene featuring the jazz icon in a rehearsal room alongside an anonymous piano player, audiences are in for a treat. Little do they know that there are actually two Armstrongs onstage at that moment - the actor portraying the great trumpeter and one of his real-life descendants.

Uniting Family and Broadway in a Jazz Journey

Behind the Scenes with Brandon Louis Armstrong

Brandon Louis Armstrong, the music giant's great-great nephew, is making his Broadway debut in "A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical." He plays multiple parts, including a piano player, a teacher, and an understudy for Louis Armstrong himself. "That moment always feels like I get to - as Brandon - speak to my great-great uncle from beyond," he says. "I get to just spend a moment in conversation with him and ask if he's OK and hear his voice."This is a significant moment for Brandon as he navigates the world of his family history and lineage. "I was cautious about how I'd be able to step into this world and connect with part of my family history and my lineage," he shares. "I'm so grateful and so thankful and so happy."

The Life and Times of Louis Armstrong

"A Wonderful World" is a stage bio of one of jazz's most influential figures. It delves behind his wide smile to explore his rise from poverty, his four marriages, and his battles with racism. From the Klansmen of New Orleans to the thugs of Chicago to Hollywood's bigots, Louis Armstrong emerged as a transcendent force, warts and all."The messaging behind it is that jazz is the choices that we make in between the notes," says the younger Armstrong. "It's not about making the right choice every time. It's about making a choice and allowing yourself to be present wherever those choices may lead you."

Brandon's Musical Upbringing

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Brandon's home was always filled with music. From jazz to gospel, R&B to hip-hop, and even '80s hair metal bands, he was exposed to a diverse tapestry of sounds. His high school show choir experience enchanted him, and he was later stunned by seeing a regional theater production of "Ragtime.""I was so moved by it, I just was like, 'I don't care if I'm the person sweeping the floors when it's over. I just want to be a part of whatever that is,'" he recalls. After graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and some local stage work, including playing Donkey in "Shrek," he landed on the third national tour of "Hamilton."

No Name Dropping, Just Talent

Armstrong didn't lean into his family name to get ahead. Press interviews when he broke out didn't even mention his famous pedigree. "I never, surprisingly, thought to ever lead with that," he says. "In this particular show, it's inescapable."Co-director Iglehart recalls Armstrong walking into the rehearsal room and stating his name. "We're like, 'How cool.' He's like, 'No, no, I'm related.' He got the job based on his voice and acting - not his name."We really did it on talent," says Iglehart. "I always feel like who's ever the most talented person for the show, that should be who is in it. But then the fact that it was his lineage, we kind of felt that it was like a sign."This musical is not only a way to honor Louis Armstrong but also Brandon's grandfather, Louis Henry Armstrong. He would often pick Brandon up after school blasting jazz music, much to his teenage embarrassment. "I just think in those moments how unbelievably proud he would be of something like this," says Brandon. "It's like the best kind of therapy every night."While there is an actual Armstrong in the cast, fellow actors and creatives haven't pulled Brandon aside to ask him about what Louis would think about a line or a scene. That's because Louis Armstrong left many rich writings about his thoughts."In addition to the rehearsal piano player, serving in the ensemble and playing the New Orleans music teacher who recognized Louis Armstrong's talent, Brandon knows that one day he will be asked to go on as his great-great uncle.""My biggest concern I think when it happens is just trying not to cry all the way through the show," he says, laughing. "Somehow the universe has paved out this road for me that has landed me here, getting to literally take the stage and carry that baton."