Join us for the Groove Gala on September 10 - Only 35 Tickets Left!

WWOZ's Groove Gala, which happens Thursday, September 10, is not your average gala. Break out your favorite festival attire and leave the gowns & tuxes at home! The music lineup includes Irma Thomas, John Boutté, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Doreen Ketchens, River Eckert, and New Orleans Jazz Vipers. There's food by Dickie Brennan's Tableau, beverages from three open bars, and air conditioning! After the Mainstage Showcase in Le Petit Theatre, we'll wrap up the night with dessert & dancing to grooves spun by WWOZ DJ Swamp Boogie.

» Groove Gala tickets while they last

WWOZ Receives 7 Press Club Award Nominations

We are proud to share that WWOZ has been honored with 7 nominations across 6 categories by the Press Club of New Orleans for Excellence in Journalism! The nominations encompass media produced and published during the 2025 calendar year. Here are our nomination categories: Excellence in Radio, Best Live Remote Broadcast, Best Use of Facebook, Best Video Essay, Best Use of Instagram, and Photography: Best Portrait. Click through to see all the details.

» Press Club Award Nominations

Satchmo SummerFest, August 1-2

Satchmo SummerFest happens August 1 & 2, in and around the New Orleans Jazz Museum. This year's lineup includes Kermit Ruffins' Tribute to Louis Armstrong, Preservation Brass, Treme Brass Band, Kid Merv, Nayo Jones, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, Juice, Joe Lastie’s Jazz to Brass, Big 6 Brass Band, and LOTS more. WWOZ will also celebrate Louis Armstrong's legacy with special programming during the week before Satchmo Summerfest.

» Satchmo SummerFest

Edited Versions of Recent Live Video Streams

For your viewing pleasure: updated and improved versions of recent live video streams from our studio. By edited, we mean that we've been able to fix small errors, and improve on our already great live sound mixes. If you liked these WWOZ performance videos when we first streamed them live, you're gonna love them now.

» Gabrielle Cavassa

» Juice

» Shamar Allen’s Ratchet Jazz

» Lisbon Girls

» Corey Ledet & Black Magic

In Memoriam: James Rivers

New Orleans multi-instrumentalist James Rivers has died at the age of 89. Born in 1937 and raised in New Orleans' Treme neighborhood, he was renowned for his mastery of the tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, as well as the flute, harmonica, clarinet, and even bagpipes. Beyond his extensive recording career, Rivers led his own ensemble, The James Rivers Movement, for decades and performed at nearly every Jazz Fest since 1970. His distinctive sound also attracted filmmaker Clint Eastwood, leading to contributions to the soundtracks of several Eastwood films. With an incredible career that spanned seven decades, James garnered respect, love, and admiration from the music community and his many fans worldwide. WWOZ sends our best wishes to his family and friends at this difficult time.

» In Memoriam: James Rivers

In Memoriam: Ronell Johnson

WWOZ joins the New Orleans music community in mourning the loss of Ronell Johnson, who passed on June 14, at just 49 years old. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, Ronell carried the spirit of New Orleans music wherever he performed. Best known for his powerful trombone playing, he also played trumpet, piano, saxophone, and drums, bringing versatility and creativity to every stage he graced. Whether performing with some of New Orleans' most respected ensembles or sharing a conversation with friends and fans, Ronell's warmth, generosity, and deep love for music left a lasting impression. His contributions to New Orleans culture will continue to resonate through the countless lives he touched and the music he leaves behind. A memorial second line was held June 22, starting at Tuba Fats Square and ending at Preservation Hall.

» In Memoriam: Ronell Johnson

» Photos: Ronell Johnson Memorial Second Line

Show Host Profile: Mark Landesman

By the time many of us are having that first cup of coffee on Sunday morning, WWOZ show host Mark Landesman is wrapping up his first volunteer gig for the day and gearing up for his next service adventure, one that - unlike spinning records - requires a wetsuit. The longtime host of the Sunday Morning Jazz Set punches in at 6 a.m., and for two and a half hours spins modern jazz by artists less widely recognized by jazz lovers. “I specifically look for artists and songs that you just don’t hear very often. If you play the same stuff, you’re just like any other radio station. That’s the great thing about OZ. I love the freedom they give me, because I tend to be a pretty independent operator.” And after his show, what’s next? Later on that same Sunday morning, you can find Mark in his scuba gear in the Maya Tunnel at the Audubon Aquarium, monitoring marine life and making friends, inside and outside the tank.

» Show Host Profile: Mark Landesman

Recipe: Frozen Grapes

Sometimes, almost everything you need to know about a recipe is right there in the title. This is one such. It's July in Louisiana, and anything frozen really hits the spot! In their simplicity, frozen grapes are super kid-friendly. But they're adult-friendly too: toss a few into your glass to keep your white wine cool on hot days.

» Recipe: Frozen Grapes