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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Book review: Playboy Swings! How Hugh Hefner and Playboy Changed The Face of Music

Sat, 09/19/15

Authored by:  Nita Ketner

At first blush, it is tempting to dismiss Hugh Hefner and Playboy as nothing more than purveyors of “skin rags.” But Hef’s self-described “pleasure primer styled to the masculine taste” became the most successful magazine of the second half of the 20th century. At its peak,... Read more

Rhythm Room Playlist 09/18/15

Joe Rinaudo, Rag Medley on the Fotoplayer

Fri, 09/18/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

How do you "play" a player piano? In the case of a Fotoplayer, a type of player piano designed for providing music and sound effects for silent movies, by pulling various cords, the user added sound effects based on what was happening on screen: bells, whistles, thunder, et... Read more

Food Vendors and Craft Vendors Wanted for the 2016 Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival

Wed, 09/16/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is accepting applications for food vendors and crafts vendors at the 2016 Congo Square New World Rhythms Festival. The festival takes place March 19-20 in Armstrong Park. Admission is free. The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 2.... Read more

T-Bone Walker, "Woman, You Must Be Crazy" & "Goin' To Chicago Blues"

Wed, 09/16/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

The late great blues pioneer T-Bone Walker does two songs, "Woman, You Must Be Crazy" & "Goin' To Chicago Blues," on a BBC airing of the Norman Granz-produced Jazz At The Philharmonic in 1966. The players include Dizzy Gillespie, Teddy Wilson, Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Co... Read more

New music spotlight: Charlie Dennard

Tue, 09/15/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

New Orleans-based keyboardist Charlie Dennard released a new album, 5 O'Clock Charlie, in July. The record showcases seven original Dennard compositions and three covers. Recorded as a jazz organ trio, the tracks do a great job highlighting the strengths of each player whil... Read more

David Torkanowsky featuring Joe Clay, "Lucille"

Mon, 09/14/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Great fun at last year's WWOZ Piano Night at the House of Blues. David Torkanowsky enlists drummer Joe Clay to sing "Lucille" and he kills it from behind his kit and out among the crown. Clay, who had a hit record in the 1950s called "(Don't Mess with My) Ducktail" and appe... Read more

Summer 2015 Highlights

Mon, 09/14/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

The summer of 2015 was a good one in New Orleans and at WWOZ. Below, a photo recap of just some of the highlights from the last few months. Read more

'My Louisiana Muse' Photo Exhibit

Sat, 09/12/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

The Jazz & Heritage Gallery, located at 1205 N. Rampart, is hosting a new exhibit from Louisiana photographer Zack Smith. Entitled 'My Louisiana Muse,' Smith's featured works feature a series of large-format film portraits of different Louisiana artists in the places where ... Read more

Big Freedia starts Season 4 of TV show

Sat, 09/12/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

Season 4 of Big Freedia's reality show, "Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce" launches at the end of this month on Fuse TV. Airing each Tuesday at 10p CDT, the show has covered many heady topics, including Freedia's music career, family life, the passing of his mother, relationshi... Read more