In Memoriam

We've lost some of our most beloved musicians and other friends who've shared and contributed richness to the musical tapestry of New Orleans and the world. Please join us in remembering their songs and their spirits. Use the "Comments" section below to add your own tributes to anyone we've missed.

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint

In Memoriam: Robert Parker

Mon, 01/20/20

Singer and saxophonist Robert Parker has died at the age of 89. He died Sunday, January 19 of natural causes at his home in Roseland. Parker was born in New Orleans on October 14, 1930. He was best known for his 1965 breakout hit, 'Barefootin',' recorded at Cosimo Recording... Read more

In Memoriam: 5th Ward Weebie

Thu, 01/09/20

New Orleans rapper, producer, and actor Jerome Cosey, better known as 5th Ward Weebie, has died from complications after a heart attack at the age of 42. He was a prominent part of the first wave of bounce musicians in New Orleans in the 1990s and went on to have a fluorish... Read more

In Memoriam: Jerry Jumonville

Tue, 12/31/19

Saxophonist Jerry Jumonville passed away December 7, 2019, at Passages Hospice in New Orleans. He was 78. He was born December 5, 1941 and grew up in Carrollton. In high school, he formed The Matadors. Jumonville moved from New Orleans to Los Angeles in the late 1960s on t... Read more

In Memoriam: Clancy "Blues Boy" Lewis

Mon, 12/30/19

Clancy "Blues Boy" Lewis died on December 1, 2019 at the age of 83. A New Orleans native, Lewis was active in the local blues community for decades. Lewis began playing blues after he constructed an amplifier from a radio as a teenager. He performed at every Jazz Fest from ... Read more

In Memoriam: Damas "Fanfan" Louis

Tue, 12/17/19

Haitian-born New Orleans local Damas "Fanfan" Louis transitioned from this life on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. A master drummer and Vodou priest, Damas Louis was commonly called Fanfan by those who knew him. Those who knew him best called him Papa Fanfan. He was born in the... Read more

In Memoriam: "Jelly Roll Justice" David Averbuck

Tue, 12/17/19

Longtime WWOZ show host "Jelly Roll Justice" David Averbuck passed on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at his home in California, after a long illness. He was 76. David and his wife, Patti, came to their first Jazz Fest in 1990, and instantly fell in love with New Orleans. They ... Read more

In Memoriam: Paul Barrere

Mon, 10/28/19

Guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Paul Barrere died on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the age 71. Paul was best known for his work with Little Feat. The band formed in 1969 but Paul did not join until 1972. In 1973, the group released Dixie Chicken. Little Feat's work through... Read more

In Memoriam: Donn Peabody

Sun, 10/20/19

WWOZ volunteers and staff are saddened by the news of Donn Peabody’s passing on October 19. Donn joined WWOZ as a volunteer in June 2015. We immediately put him to work during special events and used his mellifluous voice on the airwaves. When we complimented Donn on hi... Read more

In Memoriam: Michael Kopacz

Fri, 10/18/19

Michael Dugué Kopacz passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2019. He played an important role in the history of WWOZ, devising our call letters (Wonderful Wizard of OZ -- pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!) before we first went on the air in 1980. Known as "the Wi... Read more

In Memoriam: Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris

Sun, 09/22/19

Leigh "Little Queenie" Harris, lead singer of Lil Queenie & the Percolators, passed away on September 21, 2019, at the age of 65, after a battle with cancer. She was in hospice care in North Carolina. For decades, Harris was revered by her peers and fans, alike, for her voc... Read more

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In Memoriam

Charles "Action" Jackson | George Wein

Ellis Marsalis | Art Neville | Dave Bartholomew | Dr. John

Fats Domino | Pete Fountain | Allen Toussaint