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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New music spotlight: Daria & the Hip Drops

Tue, 09/22/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

Daria & the Hip Drops released their new album, Hipnotic, on Saturday, September 12. Upbeat with strong vocals, the group pulls influences from indie pop, rock, Caribbean, and electronic genres to end up with a truly unique and modern New Orleans sound. Astute listeners may... Read more

Sites & Sounds of New Orleans

Mon, 09/21/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

MediaNOLA, started in 2009 at Tulane, is a project that serves as a portal for histories of culture and cultural production in New Orleans. MediaNOLA works as a collective, partnering archival resources with members of the public, to produce and reflect on the many people, ... Read more

Shemekia Copeland, "Drivin' Out Of Nashville"

Mon, 09/21/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Blues vocalist Shemekia Copeland, daughter of Texas bluesman Johnny Copeland, performs "Drivin' Out Of Nashville" at Music City Roots Live from the Factory on September 17, 2015. Like the song says, "Country Music ain't nothing but the Blues with a twang."  Read more

Block Party Playlist 09/19/15

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