Dear Listener,

As I write this, Etta James' version of "Summertime" is playing on WWOZ. Along with the afternoon downpour, it's a reminder that we're entering vacation time for many – so we want to remind you that you can take 'OZ with you everywhere – through our WWOZ smartphone app for either iOS or Android. Lying on a Gulf beach, taking a long vacation drive, or streaming from the cabin of an airliner, the "Sounds of New Orleans" are as close as your smartphone, tablet or computer.

As we transition into the "slow" season, the station's staff is beginning our annual planning process for the fiscal year ahead. Our goal is to continue the 'OZ tradition of embracing new technology to extend the impact of our content offerings, while maintaining and improving the quality you expect. We're continually examining ways to further the 'OZ experience – whether through audio, video or social media – toward our mission to be "voice, archive, and flag-bearer of New Orleans culture and musical heritage."

Among community radio stations, 'OZ stands out for our very ambitious schedule of live broadcasts, festivals, and incredibly rich array of volunteer-presented music shows covering an array of genres of New Orleans music. Beyond the music alone, our services to the creative community include on-air and online efforts like New Orleans Calling, Cuttin' Class, and Takin' It to The Streets. And our new Livewire app (iOS only for now) is the most comprehensive way to stay on top of music in the city – perfect when those summer visitors are looking to experience live music.

So stay with us over this coming season, and share WWOZ with your friends and family as you travel. It's a great way to cruise through the summer heat!

Yours,

Arthur Cohen
Chief Operating Officer

WWOZ's volunteer photographers ripped it up at last month's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The proof is in our photo albums, from which we assembled this collection of 100 shots from the 2016 edition of the world's greatest music festival.

» 100 Great Photos from Jazz Fest 2016

The path that led Scott Borne to the position of WWOZ's Director of Music started when he was 16 years old and snuck into Tipitina's for the first time. A USM grad, Scott started volunteering at 'OZ in 2005, became the Thursday host of "The Morning Set" in 2006, and joined staff in 2007. In 2015, he was a JazzWeek Programmer of the year. You can hear the results of his talent and hard work in both our regular programming and our special live broadcast events.

» Scott Borne in pictures

This year's Creole Tomato Festival happens June 11-12, from 10a-7p each day. Besides bountiful fresh Creole tomatoes for sale, there'll be cooking demonstrations, food booths, live music, children's activities, and a Creole tomato eating contest. And it's free. The festival's four music stages will showcase artists like the Shotgun Jazz Band, Cha Wa, Lynn Drury, Kelcy Mae & more.

 » 2016 Creole Tomato Festival

The ninth annual Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, a free event produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, happens June 18-19, 11a to 7p, in Louis Armstrong Park. This year's event offers another stellar lineup featuring some of the biggest stars in Cajun and Zydeco, among them Bruce Daigrepont, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, and Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers.

 » 2016 Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival

WWOZ was named an "Emerging Leader" at LifeCity's Green Games in May. The Green Games celebrate New Orleans organizations which demonstrate accomplishments in achieving social and environmental impact goals. WWOZ has been working with LifeCity to evaluate and reduce our environmental impact.

» WWOZ and the Green Games

This month on WWOZ's weekly syndicated program, New Orleans Calling, host George Ingmire spends some time with tuba player Bennie Pete, the leader of the Hot 8 Brass Band. Over the past 20 plus years, the Grammy nominated Hot 8 has carried on despite the deaths of four band members, and displacement by Hurricane Katrina. Their story is not only about trials and tribulations, but also triumphs over adversity and a determination to continue on. Listen to New Orleans Calling on Saturday mornings at 7, or stream episodes online anytime.

 » Spend some time with Bennie Pete

Margie Perez contributed this recipe, "Mom's Cuban Flan" to That Sounds Good, WWOZ's cookbook. Like most flan recipes, the list of ingredients is short, but Perez offers a variety of optional additions, including strawberries, bananas, cream cheese, even pumpkin.

 » Recipe: Margie Perez's "Mom's Cuban Flan"