Show Host Blog

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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Mavis Staples Lights Up the Gospel Tent

Wed, 04/29/09
Authored by Hunter King
It's hard to tell who was more excited: the adoring Gospel Tent audience or Mavis Staples. But don't let that wide grin fool you — when she does a low-down number, shestill growls like a tiger. And as she demonstrated and told the audience, "I can still shake, baby!" Read more

Sleeper Hits of Day 3

Wed, 04/29/09
Authored by Hunter King
There's been no shortage of Mardi Gras Indian performances, and judging by crowd appreciation, that's a welcome situation. Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and The Golden Eagles were squeezing out some obscenely funky tunes and, let me tell you, I had a field day snapping photos of th... Read more

Rockie Charles, Guitar Slim, Jr., Viváz!

Wed, 04/29/09
Authored by Hunter King
Guitar Slim, Jr., was in street clothes the first time I saw him, just strolling on in to Jim Russel Records buy their last copy of his own album. Without recognizing him, you could tell by the way he dressed and the way he held himself that he was a performer. Sunday he was i... Read more

Brazil Invades Jazz Fest

Mon, 04/27/09
Rather than squeezing through crowds for a good view at the Acura Stage, I figured all of the smaller stages would be putting on their best acts last, so I had a feeling I really couldn't go wrong. I decided to go check out some bands I'd never heard of, going by a simple, gen... Read more

Jazz Roots

Mon, 04/27/09
Authored by Tom Morgan
Wednesday morning from nine until ten, I will have Scott Brown, author of a book about Father of Stride Piano, James P Johnson on the show and we will feature Johnson's music for all to enjoy. Read more

Tuesday New Orleans Music Show

Mon, 04/27/09
Authored by Tom Morgan
Tuesday's show will feature two live performances: Theresa Andersson and Matt Lemmler. I will also be interviewing a number of people about books and music and also trying to find time to play some of the latest releases. Read more

Festival Fortunes

Mon, 04/27/09
Authored by Hunter King
As I was snooping around some of the shadier corners of the Jazz Fest Fairgrounds, I encountered a young mistress who offered to tell my fortune for a small price. Intrigued, I paid my quarter, and she asked me to pick a number between one and ten, "except not nine or ten." Read more

Day Two Begins to Wind Down

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
The Crescent City All-Stars may not be as much of a household name as the others, but they managed to ensnare lots of people traveling from show to show with their hard-driving sound. Trumpeter James Andrews had an amazing energy about him and kept spirits high and light, dedi... Read more

Mister Okra

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
Everybody knows that the food is a vital part of every New Orleans Jazz Fest, but there's one vendor that really stands out from the sweaty crowds. Mister Okra's "songs" are burned into the subconscious of anyone that has lived in the French Quarter, Fauborg Marigny, or Bywate... Read more

Time to Cool Off

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
As the sun bears down on Festival- goers, many people start to look towards the misting tents and grandstands to cool off. The WWOZ Hospitality Tent has certainly never seen this much action while I've been here! Read more

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