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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Willie "The Lion" Smith on the BBC in 1965

Sat, 05/30/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Stride piano pioneer William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith (1893-1973), a.k.a. Willie "The Lion" Smith, does a remarkable 6-song, 28 minute set on the BBC in 1965. If you're not sure what "stride" piano means, let Smith demonstrate and explain as he performs compo... Read more

Rhythm Room Playlist 05/29/15

Doreen's Jazz New Orleans, "I Want You Back"

Fri, 05/29/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

Doreen Ketchens and her band cover the Jackson 5 classic "I Want You Back" live at Basin St. Station in New Orleans. DOREEN'S JAZZ NEW ORLEANS - I Want You Back from WWOZ New Orleans on Vimeo. Read more

"Latcho Drom" 6/14 at Indywood

Fri, 05/29/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

WWOZ has partnered with Indywood Cinema for a series of music documentaries on the second Sunday of each month this spring. June's feature is "Latcho Drom," showing on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 7:00pm. "Latcho Drom" is a European film that traces the route of Roma people fro... Read more

IAN FLEMING'S BIRTHDAY - MAY 28, 1908

Ponderosa Stomp 2015 Lineup Announced

Tue, 05/26/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

It's a Ponderosa Stomp year for New Orleans and the lineup is out! Happening October 2nd and October 3rd at the Rock'n'Bowl, Ponderosa Stomp is a unique and exciting event. Unlike many music festivals today, it is put on by a not-for-profit educational foundation with the m... Read more

Sharon Martin, "Take the A Train"

Tue, 05/26/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

New Orleans jazz singer Sharon Martin performs "Take the A Train," one of Duke Ellington's signature numbers and composed by Billy Strayhorn. Sharon's version was recorded live by WWOZ last February, at the historic Basin St. Station in New Orleans.  SHARON MARTIN - Take th... Read more

Koko Taylor, "Wang Dang Doodle" 1967

Tue, 05/26/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

"Queen of the Blues" and Blues Hall of Famer Koko Taylor (d. 2009) does Willie Dixon's "Wang Dang Doodle" in a 1967 studio performance. In 1966, Taylor's version reached #13 on the Billboard R&B chart and #58 on the pop chart.  Read more

Dave Brubeck Live in Germany, 1966

Sun, 05/24/15

Authored by:  David Stafford

For your hot summer holiday viewing pleasure, here's a 33-minute set of cool jazz from Dave Brubeck, recorded live in Germany in 1966. The tracks include "Take The ‘A’ Train," "Forty Days," "I’m In A Dancing Mood," "Koto Song," and "Take Five."  Musicians: Piano- Dave Brube... Read more

British Pathé Archive: New Orleans

Sat, 05/23/15

Authored by:  Carrie Booher

More than 80,000 historical films from the British Pathé Archive are now available for free viewing on YouTube. The archive is the largest on YouTube and contains mostly news reels and movies spanning 1896 to 1976. While the collection is particularly rich in its materials ... Read more