'OZone Email Newsletter for February, 2013

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Call for Phone Bank Volunteers

New Jazz Series: Thursday Night Swingin'

WWOZ and Coventry Present Cuttin' Class

Class Got Brass Deadline: February 22

Run for 'OZ in the Crescent City Classic

Last Look: Mardi Gras 2013

Recipe: Acarajé (Stuffed Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)

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Dear Listener,

Among the myriad causes of fear and angst following the 17 breaks in three (Federal) levees back in 2005: “What is going to happen to New Orleans if we lose our musicians?” The question came in two parts. What if the 5,000 or so musicians and culture bearers that had fled the deluge never came home? That scenario, thankfully, did not come to pass, and although we are still missing some shining teeth from our music community’s smile – Henry Butler and Davell Crawford come to mind among others-- still, we need no longer lose sleep over the health of the local music scene.

The other thing I worried about in those first post-Katrina years was the future of our music incubators. After all, our school marching band system had, it seemed to me, been a guarantor of our cultural continuity. But after the flood, our schools were in disarray. Without text books, or even a functioning Orleans Parish School System, there really was no one to talk to about renewing traditions.

And yet, and yet…. there were rumblings of spontaneous grass-roots efforts to nurture back our heritage. The most notable was the inspiring vision of Derrick Tabb’s Roots of Music. But you should know that there were many more such spontaneous resurgences of our culture. Many of which are not well-known, most centering around after-school programs. Now there is hope that we are on the verge of yet-one-more renaissance, one more Rebirth. (Rejoice Danny Barker wherever you are!)

In this spirit, WWOZ introduces a twice-monthly feature called Cuttin’ Class!, in which we feature an in-studio performance of a local school or after-school band. This is an idea that has been welling up for the past year from our Community Advisory Board and one that has been dear to the hearts of our staff and volunteers forever. The magic moment arrived when ‘OZ’s Development Director, Crystal Gross, experienced first-hand the enthusiasm of a school band performing at last year’s French Quarter Fest. Coventry Health Care readily assumed the sponsorship necessary to fund the program, and voilà – Cuttin' Class. The excitement from band directors, students, parents and everyone at 'OZ involved in making Cuttin' Class a reality is palpable. A recent edition featured the Red Wolf Brass Band made up of students from Riverdale Middle and High Schools, directed by Desmond Venable. The Twitter-verse was soon atwitter: “Mr. V. is the best,” his students chirped. And listeners across the nation agreed. Said one: “Tuning in from Seattle! Y'all are rocking the joint!” Another added: “I’m feeling positive about the future of New Orleans.”

And so are we.

Yours in shrimp boots and trumpet mutes,

David Freedman signature

David Freedman
General Manager


Call for Phone Bank Volunteers

Phone bank volunteers

Volunteers on the phone bank during the Fall 2012 drive

Photo by D. Barracks

WWOZ's Spring 2013 Membership Drive is March 5 - March 15, and we need your help to make it a success! We are looking for phone bank volunteers to help us sign up new and renewing members at the studio. With lots of food, fun and live music, the phone bank is the place to be during the pledge drive!

» Sign up for the Spring 2013 Membership Drive phone bank now!


New Jazz Series: Thursday Night Swingin'

Prime Example Sign

The Prime Example on North Broad

WWOZ and The Prime Example present Thursday Night Swingin', a concert series hosted by Soul Sister. Patrons can "swing" to living legends of modern New Orleans jazz in an intimate, neighborhood lounge: Julius Kimbrough's "The Prime Example" on North Broad Street.

» Come out and see Shannon Powell this Thursday, Feb 21

» And check out Herlin Riley next Thursday, Feb 28


Score a Brass Pass for Jazz Fest!
Brass Pass


WWOZ and Coventry Present Cuttin' Class

Heritage school in the studio

Heritage School of Music students in the 'OZ studio

Photo by Melanie Merz

We're keeping tradition alive on the airwaves! Tune in for our newest program, Cuttin' Class. Student jazz bands from area schools perform live in the WWOZ Studio, showcasing our city's talented young musicians.

» New Orleans area student bands live on the air


Class Got Brass Deadline: March 1

Baby Boys brass band

Baby Boyz Brass Band

It's back for a second year: Class Got Brass is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation's program to promote music education in the schools. Help us spread the word if you know someone in an eligible band!

Just announced! A free clinic for band directors and students on the history and performance technique of the New Orleans brass band style. Saturday, Feb. 23, at 12:30pm. More details at the link below.

» Get the details on Class Got Brass


Congo Square Kid's Stage Sacred Music Festival.


Run For It! in the Crescent City Classic

Crescent City Classic on Poydras

The Classic on Poydras

Photo by Stafford.

Run For It! This year WWOZ and the Crescent City Classic are partnering to raise money to help WWOZ raise its broadcast signal from 4,000 to 100,000 watts. Run the Classic and help WWOZ bring New Orleans music to even more of the universe!

» Here's how you can Run for the Groove


Last Look: Mardi Gras 2013

Elaborate costume

An elaborate costume in the Societé de Saint Anne parade.

Photo by Stafford

Mardi Gras 2013 was here and gone! The Super Bowl split the season, and the weather held up, avoiding (barely) the dreaded washout. So wipe up the last of those king cake crumbs and take a last look at this year's Carnival. And don't be sad, no worries, we'll do it again next year.

» Adieu, Mardi Gras 2013


Pledge Now OZ Swamp Shop Sponsor 'OZ


Recipe: Acarajé (Stuffed Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)

Acarajé (Stuffed Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)

Acarajé (Stuffed Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)

Acarajé are stuffed black-eyed pea fritters, which derive their origin from the West African akara, common in parts of Nigeria and Ghana. You'll find this dish in the form of street food throughout the northeast region of Brazil.

» Recipe: Acarajé (Stuffed Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)


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