Jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling is coming to Kalispell for two nights of “Misbehavin’ with the Symphony.”

The two performance events — the annual Summer Symphony Pops series put on by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale — take place Friday and Saturday, July 8 and 9, at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell. The shows will be a symphonic tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong, featuring signature tunes “What a Wonderful World” and “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In,” among many others.

“The idea of this concert is to have a celebration of life, New Orleans style,” Stripling said. “Louis Armstrong grew up with the sounds of New Orleans all around him. And when he started playing and performing, he took the New Orleans sound and freedom and took it with him and infected the world with it — there’s no cure!”

Since his Carnegie Hall debut with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops, Stripling has become a pops orchestra favorite, soloing with a host of orchestras and symphonies ranging from Boston to Dallas. He has been a featured soloist at the Hollywood Bowl and on the PBS television special “Evening at Pops,” and currently serves as artistic director and conductor of the highly acclaimed Columbus Jazz Orchestra in Columbus, Ohio.

“Putting 60 people on a stage together and making music, that’s one of my favorite things,” Stripling said. “In today’s world, it’s hard to get people out to enjoy that opportunity. So many people are married to their computers and phones ... But live music is a different experience. It’s a real human connection.

“This is a gift I’ve been given. I feel fortunate wherever I’m standing holding a trumpet.”

Stripling earned his stripes as lead trumpeter and soloist with the Count Basie Orchestra and has played and recorded extensively with the bands of Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Louis Bellson, and Buck Clayton in addition to The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and The GRP All Star Big Band.

Stripling has performed with the Glacier Symphony before as well, and said he is excited to return to the Flathead.

“[Director] John Zoltek is not only a great conductor and leader, but a great musician as well,” Stripling said. “With the symphony ... Montana has this little diamond there, and it’s just wonderful.”

“Misbehavin’ with the Symphony” will be held rain or shine at Rebecca Farm, transformed for the weekend into a music venue with full stage lighting and shell stage.

The concert will feature the Glacier Symphony pops orchestra under the baton of Maestro Zoltek. Joining Stripling onstage will be drummer Robert Breithaupt, with Pete Hand on bass and Robert Nell on piano. The program will include “Saint Louis Blues,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” “Minnie The Moocher,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and many more.

“The show, I hope, will leave audiences filled with joy and happiness,” Stripling said. “Louis Armstrong was the kind of person who brought happiness and positivity. My hope with sharing his music is to inspire and lift people up.”

Alan Satterlee, GSC executive director, said that ticket prices have been reduced and all seating will be closer to the stage this year. The best value is the fill-your-vehicle car pass at $30 in advance, $40 at the gate, with access to a wide variety of field seating. Reserved seats close to the stage start at $150 for groups of four people in low-backed lawn chairs or on blankets. Reserved picnic tables are $400 for up to eight people and are available under large tents or close to the stage. No dogs, grills, high-back chairs or sun umbrellas will be permitted.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.gscmusic.org or by calling the GSC box office at 406-407-7000. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. shows. Picnics are allowed, and food and libations will also be available from vendors on site.

“[The concerts] will be a good time,” Stripling said. “There’s no politics, no preaching, and you’ll leave feeling better.

“That’s the power of music.”

Entertainment editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.