Our monthly feature where we find out more about our show hosts past and present.
In order to find our more about our current show hosts, we are going to ask them all the same three questions. We also wanted to have a chance to catch up with former show hosts to find out how they are doing and what they are listening to now.
Next up is our Tuesday "New Orleans Music Show" and Wednesday "Jazz Roots" host, Tom Morgan, followed by former WWOZ "Jazz From the Park" host Mark Hawkins.
So far we've talked with:
Keith Hill, Monday "New Orleans Music Show" host
John Sinclair, former "New Orleans Music Show" and "Blues & Roots" host
K. Balewa, Wednesday "Morning Set" host
Michael Dominici, former WWOZ "Kitchen Sink" host
Three Questions with Tom Morgan, Host of the Tuesday "New Orleans Music Show" and Wednesday "Jazz Roots" Show
August, 2008
Best new CD you've heard outside the genre you play on your show on OZ?
It's called People Take Warning!: Murder Ballads & Disaster Songs, 1913-1938. It's a three-CD set of rare folk songs about murders and disasters, with a wonderful booklet full of pics and information.
Best thing you like about doing a show on OZ?
Having a back-and-forth relationship with my listeners worldwide, whether I'm playing James Booker or early jazz.
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
Two stand out: asking questions to Doc Cheatham about early jazz after a panel he did, and getting to know Chief of Chiefs Tootie and his wife, Joyce Montana, through what used to be the African American Heritage Interview Stage.
Three Questions with Mark Hawkins, Former Host of the Friday "Jazz From the Park" Show
August, 2008
At Jazz Fest this year, we caught up with long-time Friday "Jazz From the Park" host, Mark Hawkins, who now lives in Texas.
What is the best new CD you've heard?
Terence Blanchard's Requiem.
What was the best thing you liked about doing a show on OZ?
I approached Friday afternoons as if playing music for my friends from my living room, in the process helping the listeners kick off their weekend!
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
The 1995-97 National Broadcast live via NPR with Dwayne, Portia, Josh Jackson, Samirah, David Kunian and the entire NYC crew. Best broadcast memories??? . . . IAJE live from New Orleans . . . in January 2000.
Three Questions with Keith Hill, Host of the Monday "New Orleans Music Show"
April, 2008
Best new CD you’ve heard outside the genre you play on your show on OZ?
Charles Lloyd’s Sangam is a winner. It is very spiritual, and somewhat reminiscent of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme.
Best thing you like about doing a show on OZ?
That it's a tool to express the love that I have for the music.
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
Experiencing the Sun Ra Orchestra back in the late Seventies; also the Sugar Hill Gang in their early beginnings.
Three Questions with John Sinclair, Former Host of the "New Orleans Music Show"
April, 2008
We also caught up with long-time "New Orleans Music Show" and "Blues & Roots" show host John Sinclair, who now lives in Amsterdam.
What is the best new CD you’ve heard ?
I play just about anything I want to play, and I only play records I like, but a major cop when I was in London last week was the box set of Richard Pryor with seven or eight CDs worth of classic comedy material by the genius himself.
What was the best thing you liked about doing a show on OZ?
I liked everything about doing radio at WWOZ, but most of all I loved the direct connection with the listeners, who were always listening carefully and always very appreciative of hearing great music. It was like an interactive experience and not just broadcasting out into the ether — a very unique thing in the world of contemporary radio.
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
I had the honor and privilege of designing and producing the first several “live” Jazz Fest broadcasts for WWOZ, and my highest moment came while riding my bicycle out St. Bernard Avenue to the Fairgrounds to give the opening welcome on the first “live” broadcast from Jazz Fest, and I was almost overcome with happiness and personal satisfaction.
Three Questions with K. Balewa, Long-time Wednesday "Morning Set" Host
March, 2008
Best new CD you've heard outside the genre you play on your show on OZ?
I don't listen to much outside the jazz I play so I'll mention one you may not know: saxophonist Eric Alexander. He's a fine tenor player who has been around for a short while. He has recorded with Nicholas Payton, Cedar Walton and Ron Carter. I especially like his past recordings with soul-jazz organist Charles Earland. Alexander's new CD, Temple of Olympic Zeus (HighNote 717) is great, and all of the songs are originals.
Best thing you like/liked about doing a show on OZ?
I look forward to finding new jazz music and artists. I love that some of the older jazz is finally being reissued on CD. Best of all is the interaction with our listeners and talking to people all over the world about jazz.
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
I don't get out to Jazz Fest as much as I used to but I remember fondly a Pharoah Sanders concert from some years ago. It was a hell of a performance. It knocked me out.
Three Questions with Michael Dominici, Former "Kitchen Sink" Host
March, 2008
The first of our former show hosts we asked the "three questions" was former WWOZ "Kitchen Sink" host Michael Dominici, who now lives in San Francisco.
What is the best new CD you've heard ?
That's a tough one these days. When I was an active show host on WWOZ, part of my ritual was to seek out new music at least once a week. These days, not so much. My favorite song recently was Lucinda Williams' "Are You Alright?" which, whether intentionally or not, seemed to capture the post-Katrina numbness without naming it as such. "Goin' Home" is probably my recent favorite in terms of sheer breadth and spirit. I'm so proud of the work producer Bill Taylor has done and love that he put this impressive project together so brilliantly.
What was the best thing you liked about doing a show on 'OZ?
I miss the direct connection that WWOZ had both locally and internationally via the internet. I miss a lot of things about New Orleans but, nothing more than the inexplicable joy of being given the precious opportunity to express the tremendous diversity and spirit of music on WWOZ.
Do you a have a favorite Jazz Fest memory?
Wow. I have so many great ones . . . let's go back to some early memories such as seeing The Jolly Boys at the Koindu Stage. Also, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens. Never knew a thing about either at the time, and was completely blown away by both. Abbey Lincoln made me cry. Charles Lloyd played his entire set with his eyes closed and that was one of the most spiritual and beautiful jazz performances I can recall.
K-Doe! Eddie Bo! Fats! . . . I think at the same time one year. I had to be fast on my feet for that. Lucinda Williams' interview with Ben Sandmel. She was an hour late, but made it up by performing a few exquisite songs in a wonderfully intimate setting. Similarly, loved Vernel Bagneris doing Jelly Roll with Morton Gunner-Larsen. And of course, John Boutté is a perennial inspiration. When I think of who captures the spirit of New Orleans right now, without a doubt, it's John Boutté.
