WWOZ 90.7FM

New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Station

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On a glorious Sunday in City Park, we had the good fortune of starting off with a rousing set by The Vettes, and then hit the holy Trifecta with the incredibly uplifting gospel music of The Melody Clouds, The Lee Boys, and The Blind Boys of Alabama with The Preservation Hall Band. Don't miss a minute of the music broadcasting and streaming live on WWOZ.org. Upcoming performances today include the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue.

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"Today we perused the art at Voodoo Fest. People are showing off their creativity in lots of ways here. Near the 'OZ stage, we found New Orleanian Nate Scott painting palm fronds and kids with facepaint taking a break in the shade. Lots of great costumes out there and -- to prove this isn't just a spectator sport -- a woman playing hackey sack in blue tinsel hair and fluffy black boots.

"Over by the New Orleans Bingo! Show stage where Clint Maedgen + 9 were playing, we happily discovered the bicycle-powered Opposite Machine and were given a ticket to be exchanged by the people inside for a handful of glitter and a magical reversal of misfortunes. We are happy for the kind gesture, though there is not much to complain about here today! Off to check out more live music...!" -- Vaiden and Will Kirchheimer

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The good times continue to roll at Voodoo Fest in City Park. Here are some of the high points from Saturday's live broadcasts on WWOZ, including photos of John Boutte, Dr. Michael White's Jazz Band, Shamarr Allen with Jarrel Allen, WWOZ show hosts and Voodoo volunteers.

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WWOZ had a great time at Voodoo Fest on Friday. Check out these photos of some of the terrific acts that we got to see, including some talented youngsters from the Langston Hughes Academy, The Iguanas, Andre Williams, The Dynamites, and DJ Soul Sister's Downtown Throwdown.

Over at the Preservation Hall Stage, Washboard Chaz is making the crowd dance. He's such a New Orleans mainstay, and it's great to see him here.

Tune into WWOZ.org to hear live performances from Voodoo Fest all weekend.

The day really gets rolling and the music keeps coming. Very happily, the skies clear and more people start to show up. Over at the 'OZ Stage, we are grooving to Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show. The crowd started off small, but there's plenty of people dancing!

To find out who WWOZ is broadcasting live this weekend from Voodoo Fest, check out our live broadcast schedule at WWOZ.org.

The morning got started with a rousing tour of the park by visitors to New Orleans by the Extra Action Marching Band, dressed to the nines as always. WWOZ is broadcasting live from Voodoo all weekend. Tune in at WWOZ.org or 90.7-FM on your radio dial.

The 'OZ crew got to Voodoo Fest early to set things up. Engineering set up the WWOZ broadcasting truck at Voodoo so we could stream live from the shows. Check our live broadcast schedule from Voodoo.

The WWOZ Voodoo VIP tent is also ready, offering an oasis for 'OZ fans at Voodoo. Thanks to Semolina's Bistro for the delicious food, Zea for the beer and New Orleans Rum for the spiked iced tea. A nice shady spot to hang out and chill with other like-minded fans and musicians.

Continue reading "WWOZ Gets Into Voodoo" »

WWOZ is broadcasting live from the 2008 Voodoo Music Experience in City Park. Upcoming acts, in order, are Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, The Dynamics featuring Charles Walker with Big Sam's Funky Nation, and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. The live performances are on the radio at 90.7-FM and streaming live on WWOZ.org. Be sure to tune in and check back often for live updates. Check out WWOZ.org for more information.

Margie Perez and her band came by the WWOZ studio on Monday, October 6 and delighted our listeners with their soulful music on Andrew Grafe's Blues Eclectic show. She was joined live in the new WWOZ music studio by "Wolf" Hodges on guitar, Will Repholz on bass, and Kyle Sharamitaro on drums. To join the party, go to WWOZ.org, or simply tune your radio to 90.7 on the FM dial.

WWOZ's Fall Membership Drive started off with a bang on Monday with a record-breaking day of new and renewing members. Our brand-new live music performance and recording studio was christened with superb sets from Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown and Margie Perez. Be sure to tune in today to hear the magnificent Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble performing live on T.R. Johnson's Jazz from the Market show. See a full schedule of live music performances during the drive at WWOZ.org.

WWOZ continues to share the spirit of New Orleans at the Democratic National Convention in Denver . . . and spread the news of New Orleans' recovery and the challenges that remain.

In partnership with KUVO-FM of Denver, WWOZ is broadcasting four nights of jazz-inspired music from live performances for delegates and guests at the Democratic National Convention. One of the objectives is to focus the nation's attention on the unique cultural gifts of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region and the recovery struggles many communities still face three years after Katrina and Rita.

Tonight's program from Dazzle's Lounge features some of Denver's leading jazz performers, and the headliner is Henry Butler, one of New Orleans' favorite composers and pianists who was displaced to Denver by Katrina's floodwaters.

Catch the entire show live on the web at wwoz.org.

Donald Harrison, Jr. and Kirk Joseph warm up backstage at the Friends of New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

New Orleans' most popular musicians gathered at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver to bring attention to the continuing recovery struggles of the New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Check out the live webcast at www.wwoz.org.

Grammy-winning New Orleans composer Terence Blanchard joined political strategist James Carville at the Friends of New Orleans All Star Jam-Balaya at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Carville, who recently moved to New Orleans from the Washington, D.C. area, was one of the hosts for the celebration of New Orleans food and music to welcome convention delegates and to remind the nation of the continuing recovery challenges facing the Gulf Coast.

Blanchard won a 2008 Grammy Award for his composition, A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina). A native New Orleanian, he is the director of the Thelonious Monk Institute at Loyola University and is scheduled to perform later in the evening.

Tune in to the live broadcast on wwoz.org.

Saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr., opened the New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya to welcome delegates and guests at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver's Fillmore Ballroom. Harrison led an ensemble of young musicians from Tipitina's music internship program, featuring vocalists Lauren Barrett and Mary McBride.

Walter "Wolfman" Washington joined Harrison for a uniquely New Orleans rendition of "America, the Beautiful."

Friends of New Orleans hosted the event and WWOZ broadcast and webcast the event live to bring much-needed awareness of the ongoing efforts to rebuild this unique region, and more importantly, to honor the extraordinary work of the local organizations who are restoring their homes and communities in new and innovative ways.

Continue reading "Donald Harrison, Jr. Kicks Off the New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya" »

WWWOZ kicks off four nights of live broadcasts and blogging from Denver on Sunday night at 9 p.m. with the "New Orleans All-Star Jambalaya" benefit at the Fillmore Auditorium with over 40 of New Orleans' finest musicians.

Tonight's broadcast will be followed by a live jazz concert from Denver's Dazzle nightclub on Monday at 5 p.m. featuring Henry Butler and David Amram, along with musician friends from Denver and New Orleans.

On Tuesday at 6 p.m., WWOZ and KUVO team up once again to broadcast of the best in live Latin jazz from the After 5 Jazz and Blues Festival. Grammy-Award winner, bandleader and conguero, Poncho Sanchez and his group will light up the stage with tropical Latin fare, jazz standards, R&B and funk. Taking the stage after Poncho Sanchez's group is Cuban trumpet virtuoso and Latin Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval!

The broadcasts from Denver wrap up on Wednesday with a return to Dazzle Jazz for a special live presentation of three of Denver's favorite jazz vocalists -- Rene Marie, Carla Cook, and Allan Harris. The concerts will be broadcast live in New Orleans on WWOZ 90.7 FM and in Denver on sister station KUVO 89.3, and streaming on the web at wwoz.org.

Read more about WWOZ's live broadcasts.

WWOZ and Friends of New Orleans (FONO) will welcome delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO, Sunday evening at the Fillmore Ballroom for a "New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya," a celebration featuring some of New Orleans' most popular performers.

We will be blogging live from Denver throughout the concert, which features
Allen Toussaint with the Meters, James Andrews, The Wetlands All-Stars with Tab Benoit, George Porter, Jr., Cyril Neville, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone, Anders Osborne, Johnny Vidacovich, Irma Thomas, Marva Wright, Marcia Ball, Donald Harrison, Jr., Kirk Joseph, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, The Soul Rebels, The Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, Lauren Barrett, Mary McBride, Henry Butler, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Terence Blanchard and Randy Newman.

The non-partisan event will be broadcast live from Denver on WWOZ, 90.7 FM in New Orleans and on Jazz 89, KUVO 89.3 FM in Denver beginning at 8 pm. The event will also be webcast live at www.wwoz.org.

Check out our live blogging throughout the evening!

Continue reading "WWOZ Blogs from the Democratic National Convention" »

New Orleans music takes center stage at the upcoming political conventions, as WWOZ hits the road to present four nights of live music broadcasts from Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

WWOZ will also be at the kick-off to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis to broadcast a special benefit concert hosted by the Friends of New Orleans.

Continue reading "WWOZ Broadcasts from the DNC & the RNC!" »

Leroy Jones and his lovely wife Katja led the band, the New Orleans Helsinki Connection, on the traditional stage for our second broadcast today.

WWOZ broadcast four different groups today in a Sunday afternoon dedicated to Pops and traditional jazz.

The folks were dancing up a storm, as the New Orleans Helsinki connection proved to be a tonic that made that August heat almost seem to melt away.

There are four stages at the Satchmo SummerFest -- a brass band, contemporary and traditional jazz, and a kid's stage. Today was Kidd's day, Kidd Simmons' day that is, as he led his band at the traditional stage for the WWOZ broadcast today. Kidd had a fine band and everyone seemed to enjoy his efforts, as we're sure our audience did.

Yosiho Toyama has known New Orleans music for a long time and it was an appearance of Louis Armstrong in Japan that changed his life. He lived in New Orleans in the late sixties and has come back to visit many times. WWOZ was very proud to broadcast his appearance today around the country and to the world. One of the highlights of the concert was a duet of "Rocking Chair" a la Louis and Jack Teagarden, only on our stage it was Yoshio and New Orleans trombonist, Freddie Lonzo.

Connie Jones and his band were up next for our WWOZ live broadcast on Saturday. Tom McDermott stayed and played for both of our opening bands, and he looked rather dapper and cool as he massaged the ivories.

The Satchmo Summerfest is fun for young and old so if you can't make it out today we'll see you tomorrow.

It was going to be a hot one today for the start of the Satchmo SummerFest, but luckily the traditional stage that WWOZ was broadcasting from today was in the shade which made it al little easier for performers and listeners. We started with a band led by clarinetist Tim Laughlin.

The band was hot and the dancers loved the music.

The Satchmo Symposiums which takes place alongside the SummerFest are a great way for people to learn more about Jazz and Louis Armstrong in particular. Jazz experts, authors and researchers from around the world blaze a trail to New Orleans at the beginning of August to discuss and learn about what has been discovered or uncovered in the last year. This year it is a whole series of radio shows hosted by Louis Armstrong that have been recently unearthed. Head of the Jazz Institute at Rutgers University, Dan Morgenstern will talk about these on Saturday and he will let us listen to Satchmo recordings that haven't been heard in close to 70 years.

WWOZ is another good way to discover more about jazz, so keep your ears tuned to 90.7 -- who knows what you might learn?

There is so much going on for the Satchmo SummerFest that you need to pay attention or you might miss something. Tonight at 6:30, free and open to the public, the Satchmo Symposium kicks off on the third floor of the Old U.S. Mint with an opening speech by a man who was a friend of Louis Armstrong and produced some of his most memorable albums, George Avakian.

WWOZ will be there tonight and for the whole weekend, and we hope to see you there. Take a look at our live broadcast schedule of the Satchmo SummerFest, so if you can't be there at least you'll get to hear some of the great music coming from the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint.

WWOZ unveiled their new website at midnight Sunday morning. It has been years in the making and will offer many things the old site didn't. Just in time for Satchmo Summerfest, WWOZ celebrates a new presence on the web. Come check us out and leave a comment or two, that's WWOZ, your Jazz and Heritage Station.

I was in the right place, musta been the right time. . . .

After a good night's sleep, I was up early and had no trouble getting to the 1:30 p.m. broadcast of Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews & Orleans Avenue and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on Sunday. Troy's set started with a brass band second lining into the Somethin' Else New Orleans Tent.

Continue reading "The View from Bonnaroo" »

Hope you were one of the lucky ones up late Friday night to tune in to our 2:00 a.m. "unscheduled broadcast" of the New Orleans Super Jam with Henry Butler, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Anders Osborne, George Porter Jr. and Johnny Vidocavich.

Continue reading "Goin' Bananas at Bonnaroo" »

After going stir crazy in my tent, I decided to drive 30 miles west to Murfreesboro and got a hotel room and some quality rest. Made it back to the Festival site for our surprise early morning broadcast of the New Orleans Super Jam from the Somethin' Else New Orleans Tent. We broadcast Big Sam's Funky Nation and Henry Butler sets earlier in the day. These were the only two shows we were scheduled to broadcast, but WWOZ Station Manager David Freedman showed up and was able to pull off the New Orleans Super Jam set. We were able to hijack the WWOZ air waves back at 2:00 a.m. to broadcast this jam featuring Henry Butler, Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Anders Osborne, George Porter Jr. and Johnny Vidocavich. Thanks to the "Midnight Creeper" for all his help pulling the broadcast off and for letting us take a ride. Thanks also to Tony Guillory for engineering.

See the full broadcast schedule from Bonnaroo at wwoz.org, and tune in to 90.7 FM for more unscheduled surprises.

It was great to see so many stages set up for our local chefs at the trio of fests this weekend they are calling the Vieux To Do. You could see some of our best doing their thing in front of crowds of hungry folks. We caught Daniel Esses of the Marigny Brasserie at the Dutch Alley stage.

WWOZ loves food too -- check our small but growing list of recipes online.

Some of us from WWOZ were at the 22nd annual Creole Tomato Fest. Along with the Cajun Zydeco Fest and the Seafood Fest, this Vieux To Do is a whole lot of fun. We were at the stage set up in the French Market, to see the Don Vappie Quintet. You can see what else we have in store for you tomorrow as part of WWOZ's multi-fest coverage.

The Something Else Tent at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is fashioned after famous New Orleans clubs like the Maple Leaf and Tipitina's. WWOZ will be broadcasting live from Bonnaroo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to catch our broadcasts of Ivan Neville's Dumpstafunk at 7:30 p.m. and Walter "Wolfman" Washington at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.

Check the live broadcasts page on the WWOZ website at wwoz.org for the full broadcast schedule.

"Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler" is the headline of The Bonnaroo Beacon, the local paper here at The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, published daily during the 4-day festival. This is the seventh year of the festival, held in Manchester, Tennessee.

WWOZ is broadcasting this weekend from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Tune in to wwoz.org to hear the live broadcast.