Dear Listener,
Jazz Fest is like the Kentucky Derby of WWOZ's festival season, and we were proud to spread the music of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival far beyond the Fairgrounds racetrack with our live simulcast carried by dozens of stations nationwide, including KUVO, KGOU, WCLK and KUT, to name a few. For all the 'OZilians outside of broadcast range, ‘OZ brought the best of the Fest to listeners worldwide via wwoz.org. Together, we enjoyed a full seven days of incredible New Orleans, jazz and heritage music by the likes of Derek Douget, the Stanton Moore Trio, Mingus Big Band, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & The Roadmasters and many more.
And we're not content to stop there. It is festival season for us at WWOZ, and this radio station's a Triple Crown winner.
Last Saturday, 'OZ broadcast from Bay Bridgefest in Bay St. Louis for the first time ever, expanding our festival outreach to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And tonight, as I write this, we'll be over at Rotary International's New Orleans convention, honoring their efforts to eradicate polio by broadcasting their celebratory concert featuring Irma Thomas and the Professionals and Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers.
What’s next for us and our listeners? For starters, another installment of the ingenuous YLC Wednesday at the Square music series, with Eric Lindell and The Revivalists. Also, starting June 9, we'll be broadcasting live from the D.C. Jazz Festival in the nation’s capital; check out our friends over at WPFW, Washington, D.C.'s community jazz radio station and get ready for some musical fireworks.
Yours in baby grands and sno-ball stands,
David Freedman
General Manager
Bay Bridgefest 2011
WWOZ visited Old Town Bay St. Louis on Saturday and we broadcasted live from Bay Bridgefest 2011. With a lineup including some of our favorite New Orleans musicians including Lynn Drury, Mem Shannon and the Membership, and Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys, it was a great day at the bay. If you made it out to the fest, tell us what you thought and if you've got photos, send them our way!
» Show Bay St. Louis some love
Jazz Fest Highlights
The spring weather was perfect, the vibes were off the charts, and the music was funky, soulful and downright groovy. Jazz Fest 2011 will truly go down as a Fest to remember. For those of us already missing the music, or those who listened from far away, check out our highlights page with photos and thank yous to all our wonderful volunteers who truly made the 'OZ Hospitality Tent an oasis of friends, fruit and a relaxing place to kick back.
Haiti at Jazz Fest
The Jazz and Heritage Festival and Foundation focused this year's festival on focused this year's festival on Haitian art, music and culture, dedicating an entire pavilion to our sister island in the Carribean. With acts like RAM, Wyclef Jean, and the DJA-RARA band parading at the Fairgrounds, a small slice of Haiti was brought to New Orleans. We've got photos and updated events listings for recent benefits supporting Haiti on our dedicated page. If you know of any great organizations or people doing work in Haiti, post about it in our comments section.
Piano Night is basically a big fancy party with some of WWOZ's favorite musicians, awesome food and a crowd of hardcore 'OZ fans showing up for the best piano music, on both sides of the Mississippi. We're not bragging, it's just the truth. Held annually as a fundraiser for 'OZ on the Monday between Jazz Fest weekends, we broadcasted the entire event live from the House of Blues. If you're looking for photos of this fun evening event, or for Piano Night memorabilia, you've found the spot.
» Memories and Memorabilia of Piano Night
'OZ Goes to DC Jazz Festival
WWOZ will be broadcasting live from the DC Jazz Festival, which takes place June 1 - 13. We'll be updating the 'OZ website with more information about the broadcast as we get closer to the event. In the meantime, check out the DC Jazz Fest website and one of our sister stations, WPFW 89.3 FM, broadcasting jazz out to the Washington, DC universe.
» Keep up-to-date about the DC Jazz Fest broadcast
Vieux to Do: French Market Creole Tomato Fest, Louisiana Seafood Fest and the Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Fest
Who would've thought that tomatoes, zydeco and seafood would fit together like peas in a pod (tomatoes in jambalaya, or shrimp on a skewer)? If you've got any doubts, come on down to the French Quarter and see for yourself. Centered around the French Market and the Old U.S. Mint, the festival takes place during the weekend of June 11 - 12. Make sure you remember to bring a shopping bag, because how else are you going to get a whole flat of tomatoes home?
» Start practicing your two-step: Vieux to Do details
May Recipe: Shrimp Mosca
Way out in Avondale, there's a little Italian restaurant called Mosca's. With a long and colorful history (urban legends of it being a mafia hangout), you know that the food here is top-notch. Their "Shrimp Mosca," one of the house specialties, is easy to make, but relies on the quality of the shrimp, and we say, "Louisiana seafood all the way!" If you like the recipe, then check out Louisiana Cookin' magazine. Subscribe with the promotion code wwoz2011, and they'll donate $5 to WWOZ.
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New Orleans Music Calendar
Live music is the life-blood of New Orleans. Check out our online music calendar to find out who's playing where!
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