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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Weekend One: Right Smack in the Middle

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
The Dixie Cups may have been teenagers back when they made Iko Iko in 1965, but just like so many of this city's talents they proved that great showmanship doesn't age. With synchronized dance moves that certainly made their way into the crowd, rhythm and blues harmonies and g... Read more

Saturday's First Few Shows

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
Day Two of Jazz Fest kicked off (for me) at the Blues Tent, with Henry Gray and the Cats delivering some gorgeous, earthy blues. Believe it or not, it was rockin' enough to inspire a few to dance even at this first show of the day. Read more

The End of a Long Jazz Fest Day

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
After a long, hard day of fun, you have to make your decision on who will bring it on home for you. With so many huge acts to choose from (and such tired feet), sometimes the best thing is just to grab as much last-minute music as you can before collapsing in a heap... and get... Read more

More Highlights from Jazz Fest Opening Day

Sat, 04/25/09
Authored by Hunter King
Over at the Gospel Tent, an impenetrable wall of listeners tried to squeeze in to catch our good friend Irma Thomas along with the legendary Mavis Staples and Pamela Landrum to pay tribute to gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Irma had to be brought hankies between songs, but her v... Read more

Henry Butler and the Game Band at Jazz Fest

Fri, 04/24/09
Authored by Hunter King
While the Congo Square "My Lousiana" Stage has had solid entertainment running all day long, the crowd size has remained relatively small. That is, until legendary New Orleans pianist Henry Butler and his Game Band hopped in with their high-energy act and took things to the ne... Read more

Jazz Fest 2009 — Opening Notes and Tones

Fri, 04/24/09
Authored by Hunter King
It didn't take long for things to roll into action this year. People flooded in and not a single stage was without a formidable audience even for the first shows, though they all decided to start off their day in different ways. Rockin' Tabby Thomas (pictured below) gave ... Read more

Fireman Mike at Jazz Fest

Fri, 04/24/09
Authored by Cid Swank
Not all the food at Jazz Fest is readily available at a restaurant nearby when all the festival-goers have left and New Orleans remains.  Some of these vendors come out ONLY for Jazz Fest. On our walk-about yesterday, prior to the opening of Jazz Fest, we ran into 'Fireman... Read more

Share Your Jazz Fest Magic Moment... On Video!

Thu, 04/23/09
Authored by Mike Kobrin
If you're in town for Jazz Fest, come on out and share your favorite Jazz Fest magical moment with us on camera. It could wind up on wwoz.org as part of our Jazz Fest Magic Moments video series sponsored by Coventry Health Care! We'll be in a tent in front of 1600 N. Lopez ... Read more

Benny's From Heaven

Thu, 04/23/09
Authored by Jamie Dell'Apa
Benny Maygarden was here!     But Benny's hard to pin down so he has moved on. Read more

Ray Brown Jr. Concert Canceled

Mon, 04/20/09
Authored by Charles Burchell
After airing our recorded interview with Ray Brown Jr. about the two concerts scheduled for this weekend, we were informed that the concerts have been canceled. This is a disappointment for many music lovers and for Mr. Brown too. Ray, we look forward to a visit in the futu... Read more

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