Jazz Fest Shout Outs

We'd like to thank every single person who helped make Jazz Fest 2026 a resounding success for WWOZ! Each day of the festival, our committed staff, show hosts, and volunteers worked at our will call booth, took photos, served up Mango Freeze, staffed our hospitality tent, and, of course, produced our live broadcasts. Speaking of which, you can still hear second weekend sets on our Two-Week Archive, but they begin expiring on Thursday, May 14, and they'll all be gone by the evening of Sunday, May 17.

» Jazz Fest sets on the Two-Week Archive

Jazz Fest Photos Galore!

Cheers for our cadre of volunteer photographers, who helped us capture and share so many amazing Jazz Fest moments. Check out the 2026 edition of the world's greatest music festival through the eyes (and lenses!) of Louis Crispino, Kristen Derr, Bob Gibson, Michele Goldfarb, Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, MJ Mastrogiovanni, Eli Mergel, Leon Morris, Demian Roberts, Bill Sasser, Ira Sockowitz, and Beth Arroyo Utterback. Enjoy!

» Jazz Fest 2026 Favorites (~150 photos)

» Jazz Fest First Weekend (~970 photos)

» Jazz Fest Second Weekend (~1280 photos)

» Cultural Exchange Celebrating Jamaica (~150 photos)

» Takin' It to the Streets at Jazz Fest (~240 photos)

Jazz Fest Video Reels

New this year! Our video team was out at the Fair Grounds, producing a variety of short features about various aspects of Jazz Fest: food, art, Black Masking Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, rainy days and lots more. See them all at the link below.

» Jazz Fest Video Reels on Facebook

» Jazz Fest Video Reels on YouTube

» Jazz Fest Video Reels on Instagram

Photos: Piano Night 2026

As Dr. John observed, "The piano exists apart from genres; it’s an instrument limited only by the player’s imagination." We heard the imaginations of 25 piano players during WWOZ Piano Night at the House of Blues on Monday April 27. Big thanks to everyone who came out for our flagship annual fundraiser, and to all the volunteers who helped make it happen. And a very special thank you to our volunteer photographers Kristen Derr, Bob Gibson and Harold Spinner III, as well as GM Beth Arroyo Utterback, for capturing these moments so that we can share them with you.

» Piano Night 2026 Photos

Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, May 30-31

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation presents the 2026 Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, celebrating the rich musical traditions of Southwestern Louisiana at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, from 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm each day. The lineup includes Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Pine Leaf Boys, Babineaux Sisters, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and more! Admission is free and open to the public. If you can't make it, WWOZ will be streaming video on our YouTube channel and Facebook page.

» Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival

Summer Festivals & Fun

With Jazz Fest behind us, "Festival Season" is technically over. We say "technically" because in reality, there's a whole summer's worth of music festival fun around south Louisiana. Check out our listing of music festivals and other diversions in and around New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana this summer. Just remember to find yourself a piece of shade and stay hydrated!

» Summer Festivals & Fun

Spring Second Line Season Update

New Orleans has about six weeks left in spring second line season! Zulu and Divine Ladies will step out this Sunday, May 17. The season finishes with Money Wasters (5/24), Ole & Nu Style Fellas (5/31), Scene Boosters (6/7), and Uptown Swingers (6/28). Get the latest (including route sheets!) from Takin' It To The Streets, WWOZ's multi-platform program celebrating New Orleans' social aid & pleasure clubs, second lines, Black Masking Indians, Baby Dolls, and brass band traditions.

» Takin' It to the Streets

Show Host Profile: Slangston Hughes and Thelonius Kryptonite

Draw Fo' Radio is WWOZ's late night show dedicated to New Orleans hip hop. Every Thursday starting at midnight, co-hosts Slangston Hughes and Thelonius Kryptonite bring fresh beats and artist interviews to 90.7FM, creating a nexus for the local hip hop scene. Slangston explains, "I think that it’s important that, even though as cliched as it sounds, we’re the first and only show on OZ that does hip hop and bounce, but certainly we don’t want to be the only one or the last. It’s important for us to provide platforms, not just for artists to be on our show, but for other artists to have their own shows, too. There’s so much music out there, and there’s only two of us for two hours once a week." Tune in and check it out, and click the link below for our full Draw Fo' profile.

» Host Profile: Slangston Hughes and Thelonius Kryptonite

Blackberry Recipes

In recognition of the Louisiana Blackberry Festival, which happens this Saturday (5/16) in Houma, here are two blackberry recipes from our archive: Cajun Blackberry Dumplings and Blackberry Cobbler. Enjoy the fresh berries while they last!

» Recipe: Cajun Blackberry Dumplings

» Recipe: Blackberry Cobbler