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: Jamison Ross

Sat, 07/11/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

In 2012, a 24-year old Jamison Ross won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in one of the only years the contest has featured drumming as its instrumental focus. Winning this prestigous competition came with a prize of a $25,000 scholarship and a recording co... Read more

Rhythm Room Playlist 07/09/15

Soweto Gospel Choir: Three Songs

Fri, 07/10/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir are two-time Grammy winners for Best Traditional World Music Album. They combine gospel, spirituals, reggae, and American popular music, as evidenced by the three songs below: "Mama Tembu's Wedding," "Avulekile Amasango/One Love," and "Khu... Read more

The Gap Band, "Early In The Morning"

Wed, 07/08/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

What says funky hump day better than flaming drumsticks? Check out the Gap Band (brothers Charlie, Ronnie, and Robert Wilson) performing "Early In The Morning" in 1982.  Read more

Little Freddie King, "Pauger Street Boogie"

Mon, 07/06/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Here's Little Freddie King with "Pauger Street Boogie", a song rooted in his memories of the Last Chance Lounge. A cousin of Lightin' Hopkins, King was born in McComb, MS but has been a New Orleanian since the age of 14. This performance was recorded by the WWOZ video unit ... Read more

Kendrick Lamar Visits Mr. Mooney's Class

Sun, 07/05/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

In this piece from NPR Music, rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose latest album, To Pimp a Butterfly, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's albums chart earlier this year, visits Brian Mooney's class at High Tech High School in North Bergen, N.J. Lamar's work engages themes of blackness ... Read more

Rhythm Room Playlist 07/03/15

Jimi Hendrix, "The Star Spangled Banner"

Fri, 07/03/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Happy Independence Day! Here's Jimi Hendrix's famous rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" live at Woodstock, August, 1969.  Read more

After Essence Fest

Thu, 07/02/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

Essence Fest is returning to New Orleans this weekend, Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, with some of the top names in regional, national and international black entertainment today. This year, locals Mystikal, Dumpstaphunk, Tank & the Bangas, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans ... Read more

Anders Osborne & Luther Dickinson, "Black Muddy River"

Wed, 07/01/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Anders Osborne and Luther Dickinson cover "Black Muddy River" from the Grateful Dead's In The Dark album. This video is part of a series of Grateful Dead covers called "Songs Of Their Own" produced by JamBase to pay tribute to the the Grateful Dead’s influential original so... Read more