Welcome to the WWOZ Blog! This is where 'OZ staff and beloved show hosts post news, thoughts, information, and of course, music.

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In Memoriam: Henry Gray

Tue, 02/18/20

Blues pianist Henry Gray has passed away at the age of 95. He is credited with helping create both the distinctive Chicago blues piano sound and the Louisiana swamp blues sound. Gray was born on January 19, 1925. He spent his early childhood on a farm in Alsen, Louisiana, ... Read more

YLC Wednesdays at the Square: Spring 2020

Sun, 02/16/20

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

YLC's Wednesdays at the Square free concert series returns in March! Each event starts at 5pm. Check out the full schedule for this season below: March 11 Flow Tribe (6:30pm), Dave Jordan & the NIA (5pm) March 18 Tab Benoit (6:30pm), The New Orleans Johnnys (5pm) March 25 Ma... Read more

Video: Spirit & Sparrow, National Day of Racial Healing concert

Sun, 02/16/20

On January 21, Spirit and Sparrow performed for the free National Day of Racial Healing concert at the George and Joyce Wein New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Center. The event was co-presented by Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Foundation for Louisiana, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritag... Read more

Rhythm Room Valentine Special 02/14/20

Community outreach tickets for Jazz Fest 2020

Thu, 02/13/20

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

Each year, The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation supports community involvement in the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival by distributing thousands of free tickets to the world–famous festival of local music and culture. The application deadline is Thursday, March 1... Read more

Interview with the Mossman

Wed, 02/12/20

This week on Takin' It To The Streets, Action Jackson sits down with the Mossman, Tyrone Casby of the Mohawk Hunters. They discuss what it was like for Casby to be born into the masking Indian tradition, his large family, and Mardi Gras morning on the Westbank. They also di... Read more

Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Fest 2020

Wed, 02/12/20

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

"This festival contains the greatest collection of Cajun and zydeco artists for any festival in the city and perhaps the state." -- Charles Laborde, host of "Lache Pas," our weekly Cajun and zydeco show, Sundays 12-2pm Kick off crawfish season with the 14th annual Louisiana... Read more

Video: Danny Barker Birthday Bash at Snug Harbor - Jan. 2020

Wed, 02/12/20

On Monday morning, we were pleased to premiere a video and radio broadcast of the Danny Barker Birthday Bash concert featuring Dr. Michael White, Gregg Stafford, Freddy Lonzo, Marie Watanabe, Detroit Brooks, Topsy Chapman, Kerry Lewis, Herman LeBeaux, and Yoshie Nakamura. ... Read more

"Class Got Brass" applications open now

Sun, 02/09/20

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is accepting applications for the 8th annual "Class Got Brass" competition, a contest for Louisiana high schools and middle school brass bands. At stake are more than $40,000 worth of instruments for the participating schools’ musi... Read more

Video: Langston Hughes Brass Band on School Groove

Sat, 02/08/20

The students from the Langston Hughes Brass Band joined us in the studio on November 5, 2019 for School Groove! Check out their performance below.  Read more