Spring Membership Drive, September 26-October 4

Our Guardians of the Groove Fall Membership Drive will take place September 26-October 4. So power up the device of your choice, tune in, and help us Guard the Groove! WWOZ needs your support in order to keep the sweet stream of New Orleans sounds flowing around the world. And check out our fresh new collection of Member Gifts for 2024-25 (pictured above), featuring our Groovapedia blanket.

» Beat the rush and join now!

» New Member Gifts

Home is Where the Groove is!

Last month we moved into our new home atop Jax Brewery on the 5th floor overlooking the Mississippi River, and we're excited to share some photos! We think you'll agree that our long journey to get here was definitely worth the wait. This is the space that our incredible show hosts, volunteers, staff, supporters and beloved musicians and artists deserve!

» Photos of our new home

WWOZ Wins 5 Press Club Awards!

The Press Club of New Orleans' Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards took place last month, and WWOZ won several top honors, including five first place awards. The categories include General Excellence in Radio; Best Live Remote Broadcast for Jazz Fest Live 2023; Best Cultural Broadcast for our Piano Tribute to Professor Longhair and James Booker last December; Digital Special Section for A Closer Walk: Interactive New Orleans Music History; and First Place Feature to one of our volunteer photographers, Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee, for this shot of Tarriona "Tank" Ball.

» WWOZ Wins 5 Press Club Awards!

Save the Dates! Festing in Place Returns October 24-27

Tune in October 24-27 for our annual celebration of live music from New Orleans and the world beyond! Once again, we're partnering with the Archive of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation to share the greatest music from Heaven & Earth, including recent and historical recordings. Break out your festival gear, and get ready to celebrate the best of New Orleans music--anywhere in the world!

» Festing in Place Super Gallery

Groove Gala Photos

The WWOZ Groove Gala--after niftily dodging Hurricane Francine--returned to Tableau and Le Petit Theatre on Thurday, September 12! It was an amazing night in the Quarter and a smashing success for WWOZ. Thanks much to everyone who came out to support us! This year's Groove Gala performers included Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, Little Freddie King and lots more.

» Groove Gala Photos

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, October 11-13

The award-winning Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival features two stages of music, some of the best barbecue vendors in the region and a local arts market. This year's fest happens Friday, October 11 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm, and on Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13 from 11:00am to 8:30pm. Performers will include Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Irma Thomas & the Professionals, Kenny Neal, Marcia Ball, James Rivers Movement, Joe Krown Trio with Papa Mali, Sierra Green & the Giants, Sunpie Barnes & the Louisiana Sunspots & lots more!

» Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest

Show Host Profile: Rare on the Air

WWOZ’s Bob Murret (AKA Rare on the Air) has a magic record collection: it transports you back to 1950s and 1960s New Orleans every Wednesday night from 7 to 10 pm. Da Rare started spinning his favorite discs for OZ listeners in 1982, when his friend Billy Delle, one of our original show hosts, brought him in. He took a break for a couple of decades, then returned to the air (and to the cheers of OZilians), playing what he describes as "the rare, the obscure, the unheard, the who thats and the what nots." He's "pro-OZ," and believes in what we're doing with the music. "I personally have a great time when I do the show. I'm hoping that the listeners enjoy it as much as I do. Every Wednesday night I usually try to pick a little history thing that maybe young people or out-of-towners don't know about how things were and what we did."

» Full Rare on the Air profile by Melissa Milton

In Memoriam: George French

We are very sad to share the news that legendary New Orleans singer, bassist, bandleader, and all-around musician George French has passed at the age of 81. George French was a longtime friend of WWOZ, performing live many times on the station. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. We would like to thank him for the many years of great music he brought us, and for everything the French family has done over more than 100 years to continue the great legacy of New Orleans music.

» In Memoriam: George French

In Memoriam: Luther Kent

Musician Luther Kent died on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the age of 76. "Big" Luther Kent’s soulful voice and versatile repertoire – ranging from gospel to swing to traditional jazz – made him a New Orleans household name. He performed around the world, and the Louisiana Music Hall-of-Famer could often be heard with his own band, Trick Bag, The Dukes of Dixieland, or as the voice behind local television commercials. He toured worldwide, and was a popular performer at Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Baton Rouge Blues Festival, Crescent City Blues & BBQ Fest, and others. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards and honors, and is an inductee into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame. WWOZ sends our best wishes to his family and friends at this difficult time.

» In Memoriam: Luther Kent

Recipe: Frozen Lemon Mousse

This very cool dessert manages to be both light & airy and rich & decadent, all at once. It combines lemons, sugar, and cream and makes a great end to a meal. There's just a little bit of stove top cooking, but mostly you won't heat up the kitchen. Lemon curd is chilled, folded into whipped cream, then frozen.

» Recipe: Frozen Lemon Mousse