Boudin Man, co-host of Kitchen Sink with A.J. Rodrigue and A.A., Wednesdays, 10pm-MIDNIGHT.

Record of the Year

Zydeco Sont Pas Sales - North Side: King Clifton Chenier - Zydeco Et Pas Sales - South Side: Rolling Stones - Zydeco Sont Pas Sales. 7"-45RM Smithsonian Folkways, Arhoolie and Valcour Records

Clifton Chenier - King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco. Smithsonian Folkways 6 LP retrospective box set assembled in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Chenier's birth.

A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – Various Artist - Valcour Records

Jeffery Broussard and The Nightime Syndicate – Bayou Moonlight

The Meters – Live At The Great American Music Hall 1975

Quintron and Miss Pussycat – Chrystal Crunchy

Whip Appeal – Cut Flowers

The Glue – Shot In The Dark

Chris Lyons – Painters Street

Sick Thoughts – Another Piece Of Plastic

Nick Lowe (Not) Indoor Safari Vol. 1

Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts - Talkin To The Trees

Julian Primeaux - Spinning Heartache Into Gold

Cassette

Stargazer and The Lilies with Weeks Island - Live from the Ace

Digital Releases

Bruisey Peets - Cartwheel Clown

Louie Michot - SEAUXLEAUX

T. R. Johnson, host of the Tuesday edition of Jazz from Jax Brewery, 4-7p

Abide in Love – Greg Tardy

About Ghosts- Mary Halvorson

Abstraction is Deliverance – James Brandon Lewis

Antes Que a Terra Acabe - Luedji Luna

Apple Cores – James Brandon Lewis

Belonging – Branford Marsalis

Everyday – Takuya Kuroda

For the Love of it All -- Brandon Woody

For the Record – Makaya McCraven

Gadabout Season – Brandee Younger

Heroes – John Ellis

How You Been - SML

Keys to the City, Vol 1 – Robert Glasper

Love Letters – JD Allen

Ones & Twos – Gerald Clayton

Rearranging the Planets – Steve Lands

Search for the New – Marcus Gilmore

Southern Nights – Sullivan Fortner

Strange Heavens – Linda May Han Oh

Trio of Bloom – Trio of Bloom

Triune – Nicholas Payton

Um Mar Pra Cada Um -- Luedji Luna

Vanguardia Subterranéo -- Miguel Zenon Quartet

Words Fall Short – Josh Redman

Duane Williams, host of What's New, Sundays, 10pm-MIDNIGHT.

In no particular order:

Sariyah Idan’s “Solo Live In Berlin” album. This album just shows Sariyah's wide-ranging talent with recordings of her live performance overseas last year. It's always a pleasure to spend time with her voice, whether at home listening to the album or while strolling down Royal Street and catching her performing live!

John Coltrane: The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings 7LP Boxset was a very welcome surprise earlier this year. Granting access to more than four hours of this legend's work from over six decades ago was a reminder to take some time to sit back and appreciate getting lost in his soundtrack without any distractions from the rest of the world.

Dave Matthews Band's collection of hits over the decades, Where Are You Going: The Singles, being dropped a couple of months before being able to see them perform live at Jazz Fest was a great treat of nostalgia. Not only a great musician but also entertainer who keeps the crowds entertained between songs and makes the time fly by and exudes all the cool an audience requires on the sunniest of days at a stage with no shade.

Tom McGuire & the Brassholes album A NAME FOR EVERYTHING I'LL EVER BE was an unexpected treat. My favorite party band from Glasgow, they delved so much deeper with this album. The tracks resonate with Tom's introduction to becoming a parent and is much more self-reflective. The band is aging and that's not a bad thing. As with all who are self aware you not only grow but examine yourself on the why's and how you've grown. It's always a pleasure to watch them evolving from across the pond.

Musique(s)! is a great taste of home. A collection of Louisiana artists singing in French and Creole for a dozen tracks. That may feel like enough but the project includes a book, an exhibition, and a documentary. The sound is timeless but from contemporary artists, including two Grammy-winning artists. Proof that this tradition isn't going anywhere any time soon.

Woodkid's single To The Wilder from DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH was an earworm for me this year. It made its way into my head and I never tired of it. It was moving and touching to the point it never felt corny and I still enjoy it when it pops up on my playlist. There's even a shift to it with the alternate version where Elle Fanning sings the song. Woodkid did a fantastic job producing the soundtrack but these two versions stuck out and struck a chord with me. Rolling Stone has a great interview with the artist about the meaning behind it and the rest of his work over the years here.

The Cranberries performing live on the MTV Unplugged album was a reminder of how much their raw performances came through each medium. Whether on stage or on television. It was nice reliving the sounds of a voice we won't get to experience live again but which continues in a large body of work.

Jennifer Brady, host of The Kitchen Sink , Thursdays, 10pm-MIDNIGHT.

Jimmy Duck Holmes, Bentonia Blues/Right Now
Hypnotic, acoustic blues that you can catch live at the Bentonia Blues Festival in Mississippi. Bring your lawn chair, make the drive. Special thanks to members of my OZ Fam- Black Mold, and Andrew Grafe, for introducing me to Jimmy’s music and his juke joint, the Blue Front Cafe.

Irma Thomas, Galactic, Audience with the Queen
How Glad I Am is pure sunshine in the form of a song. Turn it up. Give it to someone you love.

Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, Sally Baby's Silver Dollars
Good grief, don’t sleep on this band. Classic, upbeat, fun.

People Museum, Live From Marigny Opera House
If you have the chance to see this New Orleans group live, please go. This year, I was lucky enough to catch them at Lafayette Square (thank you, YLC) and Gasa Gasa.

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Wake Up Afrika
Known as the James Brown of Ghana, discovered his music from Al “Alski” Laskey and got to see his first performance in New Orleans at Gasa Gasa in July.

Jon Batiste, Big Money
Petrichor ( /ˈpetrīˌkôr/ : the earthy scent after rainfall.) This song in particular hits close to home as he calls out burning the planet down, too many chemicals, and losing what makes our corner of Louisiana home. Also appreciate his rendition of "Lonely Avenue" with Randy Newman.

Raye and Mark Ronson, Suzanne
Great song, can't wait to catch Raye at Jazz Fest in 2026!

Heated Rivalry, [series] Soundtrack
Kephny Eliacin, Dumas, t.A.T.u, Wet Leg — this soundtrack by Jacob Tierney perfectly complemented the 2025 Canadian hockey romance and its characters’ chemistry to a T.

J.Mix, Burnout, Circles - singles
Check out Jessica Mixon aka J.Mix, songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist from New Orleans.

Boyfriend, In the Garden
A journey through Eden with special guests like Peaches and Big Freedia.

Anna Moss, Love you, Anyway - single
Great song from songwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist based in New Orleans, on loving people even when you don't agree—honest and real.

Murf Reeves, WWOZ Music Director and host of The New Orleans Music Show, Mondays, 11:00am - 2:00pm.

Hello OZ listeners, Happy Holidays!

This is a list of singles and albums that really moved me as a show host this year!

Singles

Big Chief Romeo Bougere and Dawn Richard - I’m Feeling Good     My favorite song, single, album of the year. Excited to play this during Mardi Gras

Cyril Neville - Lemonade

Kenny Neal with Quiana Lynell and Lee Oskar - Let Life Flow

Wolfe John Band - Hoodoo U Luv

Albums

Sarah Quintana - Baby Don’t
Galactic/ Irma Thomas - Audience With The Queen
People Museum - Live At The Marigny Opera House
Carlo Nuccio - Clap Hand
Mike Dillon’s Punkadelic - Run White Boy Run
Compersion Quartet - Compersion Quartet
Jason Mingledorff - The Journal Sessions
Woodenhead - 50th Anniversary compilation
NolasiA - NolasiA
Nicholas Payton - Notes From The Zen Gangster
David Bode - Good Hang
Noah Young - Noah
Hunks Of Coal - Stocking Stuffers Vol. 1
Dean Zucchero - Songs For Sinners
Mark Carroll - Fringe Dweller
Eric Johansson - Live In Mississippi
The Riverbenders - The Riverbenders
Jon Cleary - The Bywater Sessions
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars - Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars
Trumpet Black - The New Beginning
Evan Oberla - Canal Street Revolution
Free Agents Brass Band - Made It Through That Water (reissue)
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and Spyboy Jwan Boudreaux - Slip Don’t Fall
Dr. John - Live At The Village Gate
Various Artists - A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco
Big Freedia - Pressing Onward
Kyle Roussel - The Church Of New Orleans
Renee Rosnes - Crossing Paths
Snorre Kirk - What A Day
Charlie Musselwhite - Look Out Highway
The Delines - Mr. Luck And Miss Doom
Sunny War - Armageddon in a Summer Dress

Carrie Booher, Digital Content Editor and substitute show host.

Here's my top 5:

Various Artists - A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco

Jon Batiste - Big Money

Kyle Roussel - Church of New Orleans

Charley Crockett - Lonesome Drifter

Brass Bed - Life Is A Gift

Dave Dauterive, host of The Morning Set, Fridays, 6:00am - 9:00am.

Kyle Roussel Church Of New Orleans — All star variety of guest, blessed to have him in NOLA

Branford Marsalis Quartet Belonging — Jazz Fest set really solidified how great this record is in 2025

GoGo Penguin Necessary Fictions — When are we going to get this trio from England in NOLA, all their releases are great

Wild Iris Brass Band Way Up — Nashville Brass Band, don’t knock ‘em before listening

Anika Nilles False Truth — Biggest music story of 2025 to me, was following her before major news broke out she will be filling shoes of Neil Peart of Rush for 2026 tour. So many speculations for Prog Drummers we thought would fill the ultimate chair, instead a German, female, fusion drummer got the gig. We will all see in June.

Chick Corea Forever Yours -- The Farewell Performance (Live) — Late Chick in solo piano, his last performance

Mike Clark Itai Doshin — 79 years and releasing multiple albums per year

Fergus McCreadie The Shieling — Discovered this Scottish Piano player this year, his music and feel are reflective of his home country influence

Lettuce Cook — Can’t wait to see their debut at 2026 J&H Festival

Joe Farnsworth The Big Room — Classy jazz in a suit & tie

Breaux Bridges, host of The Morning Set, Wednesdays, 6:00am - 9:00am.

Breaux Bridges’ Favorite Releases of 2025

Ambrose Akinmusire – honey from a winter stone
Artemis - Arboresque
Bela Fleck, Edmar Casteñeda, Antonio Sanchez – BEATrio
Bill O’Connell – Touch
Boz Scaggs – Detour
Brad Walker – A Sliver of Catharsis
Brandee Younger – Gadabout Season
Brandon Sanders – Lasting Impression
Branford Marsalis – Belonging
Daggerboard & Erik Jekabson Orchestra – Live at the Hillside Club and Dresher Studio, June 19 and 20, 2024
David Kikoski – Weekend at Smalls
Eric Alexander – Like Sugar
Erik Jekabson - Breakthrough
Fareed Haque – Return to the Joyous Lake
George Coleman – George Coleman with Strings
George Colligan – Live at the Jazz Standard
Hiromi’s Sonicwonder – Out There
JD Allen – Love Letters (The Ballad Sessions)
Jeremy Pelt – Woven
Jerome Sabbagh – Stand Up!
John Scofield & Dave Holland – Memories of Home
Kassa Overall – CREAM (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)
Keith Jarrett – New Vienna
Lawrence Sieberth – Mythologie
Linda May Han Oh – Strange Heavens
Mike Clark – Itai Doshin
Nicholas Payton – TRIUNE
Nicole Glover – Memories Dreams Reflections
Oscar Rossignoli – Levitations
Sachal Vasandani – Best Life Now
Sharel Cassity – Gratitude
Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell – We Insist 2025!
Theon Cross – Affirmations: Live at Blue Note New York
Wolfgang Muthspiel, Scott Colley & Brian Blade – Tokyo

Logan Schutts, host of World Journey with Logan, Saturdays, 4:00 - 6:00pm.

This year, I dove pretty deep into the sounds of modern pop music from Africa, mostly afrobeats and trap. There have been compelling releases from many nations within the continent, but Ghana especially had an amazing year of album drops. Here's a list of my favorites:

1. Black Sherif - Iron Boy

2. AratheJay - The Odyssey

3. Gyakie - After Midnight

4. M.anifest - New Road and Guava Trees

5. Smallgod - Highlife Fusion

6. Ghanaian Stallion - Bridges

7. Stonebwoy - The Torcher

8. Jubed - From the Soi

Andrew Grafe, host of Blues Eclectic, Mondays, 2:00 - 4:00pm.

In no particular order:

Kent Burnside “Hill Country Blood”

Garry Burnside “It’s My Time Now”

D.K. Harrell “Talking Heavy”

Bobby Rush & Kenny Wayne Shepherd “Young Fashioned Ways”

Babe Stovall “Pied Piper of New Orleans”

Various “Tribute to the King of Zydeco”

John Primer “Grown in Mississippi”

James McMurtry “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”

Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars “Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars”

Galactic & Irma Thomas “Audience With The Queen”

Jesse Welles “Pilgrim”

Mavis Staples “Sad and Beautiful World”

Robert Finley “Hallelujah Don’t Let the Devil Fool Ya!”

Valerie June “Owls, Omens and Oracles”

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band “Honeysuckle”

Various “Sinners” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Jason Isbell “Foxes in the Snow”

Neko Case “Neon Grey Midnight Green”

Buddy Guy “Ain’t Done With the Blues”

David Kunian, host of Freaknologist Lunatique Show, Tuesdays, 10 PM – Midnight.

Best Jazz Albums – 2026 – alphabetical

Jesse Wells - Pilgrim
Archer – Sudden Dusk
Sullivan Fortner – Southern Nights
Marcus Gilmore, Niels Cline, Craig Taborn – Trio of Bloom
Nicole Glover – Memories, Dreams, Reflections
Steve Lehman – The Music of Anthony Braxton
James Brandon Lewis – Apple Cores
Branford Marsalis Quartet – Belonging
Kyle Roussel – Church of New Orleans
Brad Walker – A Sliver of Catharsis
Miguel Zenon – Vanguardia Subterranea: Live at the Village Vanguard
Kenny Dorham – Blue Bossa in the Bronx
Joe Henderson/McCoy Tyner – Force of Nature
Bennie Maupin – Jewel in the Lotus
King Oliver – Centennial
Sun Ra – Hidden Fire
David Bode – Good Hang
Paul Cornish – You’re Exaggerating
Brandon Woody – For the Love of It All
Wet Leg – Moisturizer
Wednesday – Bleed
Preservation Hall – For the Fat Man
A Tribute To The King Of Zydeco – Various Artist
Irma Thomas/Galactic – an audience with the Queen
The Funky Side of James Black
The Wild Tchoupitoulas featuring the Neville Brothers – New Orleans ‘77
Hal and Mel – Alone Together – Harold Battiste and Melvin Lastie
Jon Cleary - The Bywater Sessions
Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars - Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars
James McMurtry “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”
Fishbone – Stockholm Syndrome
Sarah Quintana – Baby Don’t
Amanda Shires – Nobody’s Girl