Khris Royal's Royal Education
During a Dark Matter radio interview and concert broadcast on WWOZ, Art Neville called in four times to praise the band, telling the DJ to tell them that "their shit is cold-blooded!"
When was the last time a voice reached out of your car radio and grabbed you? Dayna Kurtz did it to me a week ago, with a live, solo appearance on WWOZ — 10 minutes of blues-inflected acoustic guitar and a fullthroated alto that soared and growled and whispered with the wisdom of decades on the road.
WWOZ 90.7 – The Guardians of the Groove for New Orleans
Perched in an unassuming French Market building steps from the Mississippi River each Tuesday evening the radio personalities known as Jivin' Gene and his right hand man Neil spin The 50’s Rhythm & Blues Show from WWOZ studios, doing so with a flare...I love this show...I e-mailed Gene some weeks ago about possibly interviewing him for a piece to coincide with this year's Ponderosa Stomp, so he invited me up to the studio one evening I arrived in their set and Gene game me a quick tour of the space and offices. Then I sat and watched them work, asking questions between set breaks. Here's what I learned...
When I lived in New Orleans, I was lucky enough to befriend a program host on community radio, Hazel the Delta Rambler, a.k.a. Hazel Schlueter. During my first weekend of being a medical student, I was checking out the left end of the FM dial and heard Uncle Dave Macon singing. What was he doing on the radio? I called into the radio station to find out what was going on. Hazel answered the phone. I said I was new in town and played clawhammer banjo. Hazel said, "Clawhammer banjo!" Then I told her I was a medical student at Tulane. "Tulane!" She took down my phone number and said that she would call me the next time they had a pickin' party over her house. I thought to myself there was no way in heck this person on the radio was going to call me. But she did. Two weeks later.
We'd have a heritage radio station like New Orleans WWOZ, but, obviously, focused on Nashville music. All kinds of Nashville music. I mean, man, the other day when Lightning 100 did that full day of Nashville musicians? That blew my mind. A radio station that played only people who lived here, from any and all genres and any and all eras? I'd love that.
Melissa Weber, or DJ Soul Sister as she's known around here, describes her style in musical terms: pure soul power with punk rock spirit, a hip-hop edge and jazz energy. Weber has been bringing her unique blend of soul power to listeners of WWOZ-FM radio for more than 15 years. Her popular, live DJ parties earned her a Big Easy Entertainment Award in 2010, the first to go to a disc jockey, and she's performed across the country and abroad. Gigs at home include the Voodoo Experience, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell and the Essence Music Festival. She'll be spinning at Jazz Fest this year, on May 7, opening for Lauryn Hill. 
Gregory Davis talks about programming jazz at the famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Tell us what happens to the money raised from the festival. Many people don’t know that there is a foundation at the heart of the event. What sort of community programs does the foundation sponsor? The main thing that is funded by the festival is the radio station, WWOZ. That's a station that is on every day playing music 24/7, and they play all kinds of music. Many years back, Tom Dent from the foundation started doing street festivals. There's a blues fest, gumbo fest and several others that the foundation puts on that are free to the public. And there are education programs that they do in the schools. And the foundation provides funding to local musicians who are struggling with economic and health problems. 
As the U.S. Senate resumes debate on whether to cut or eliminate funding for public radio, David Freedman, GM of WWOZ-FM New Orleans, fears that his station — which doesn't carry news shows but instead focuses on music unique to his region — could be collateral damage. The recent sting operation, which caught a National Public Radio fundraising executive calling the Tea Party racist, has already led to the resignation of CEO Vivian Schiller and resulted in renewed calls from conservative politicians for an end to federal funding of NPR. But according to station managers like Freedman, it's the 900 local public radio stations — the primary recipients of the federal money that flows through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting —
If you‘re a fan of swing jazz, you know Kathleen Lee even if you‘ve never heard her sing. For nearly a decade, she’s hosted WWOZ’s “Swing Session” show on Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m. But she‘s also a versatile jazz, blues and classical vocalist who trained at the Boston Conservatory and under the auspices of Harold Batiste and Ellis Marsalis. Her new, debut CD, "Coming Up for Air," contains three original compositions and such standards as "Fever," "All of Me," "Bye Bye Blackbird" and George & Ira Gershwin's "Oh, Lady Be Good."
Leroy Jones and Spirit of New Orleans are playing Ylläs Jazz Blues, one of the world‘s northernmost jazz festivals in Finnish Lapland. Spirit of New Orleans is an internationally known group that was founded ten years ago. It has performed on most Finnish jazz festivals and also in for example Norway, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Denmark. The band's three recordings have had a very positive reception and the latest, "Mahogany Hall Stomp", is often played on New Orleans' WWOZ jazz station. 
It's hard to believe, but WWOZ-FM, New Orleans' celebrated "jazz and heritage" community radio station, turns 30 this year. On Sunday, staff, volunteers and listeners will celebrate with a second-line and a big musical throw-down at Tipitina's -- the very spot from which the station launched in 1980, from a converted storeroom over the stage.WWOZ hits its three-decade milestone with plenty to celebrate. The five years since Hurricane Katrina have seen the station overcome some of its most daunting hardships and brought some of its most rapid growth.
Listener-supported radio icon WWOZ makes thirty the first weekend of December. Paul Maassen sat down with the station's general manager to commemorate the milestone. (Audio file)
We're the voice, the archive and the flag-bearer of New Orleans music," says general manager David Freedman... "We still have totally local programming... People can tune in and have a New Orleans experience."
On Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010, some of WWOZ's "All Stars" will come together to celebrate the station's 30th birthday at Tipitina's Uptown. Shamarr Allen, DJ Soul Sister, Theresa Andersson, Kirk Joseph, John Papa Gros and many more will take part in one giant birthday party sponsored by Let's Be Totally Clear. If you can't make the concert be sure in take part in the WWOZ second-line through the French Quarter at Noon on Saturday. The second-line will depart from the corner of Decatur and Elysian Fields, head up Elysian Fields to Royal Street, left on Royal Street, continue on Royal Street to Toulouse Street, left down Toulouse to Decatur up Decatur towards the French Market."
A beautiful landmark in local music news, community radio station WWOZ will be celebrating 30 years on the air with a Birthday Bash this Saturday, December 4. The venue for the party will be the place where the station got its start—Tipitina's Uptown. Thirty years ago, WWOZ aired from the upstairs...
Reasons for Giving Thanks Harmoniously: Happy 30th Birthday to WWOZ
"WWOZ is so tuned into the rhythm of the city that it's got an uncanny knack for playing just the song at just the right moment... "Our goal is to support what is New Orleans about New Orleans and that is its music," says WWOZ general manager David Freedman... Keeping local and unique is the key to growth as the station prepares for the future."
Eine neue Stadt aus Groove
October 26, 2010 - Von Hannes Klug, Taz - Berlin, Germany
Denn mit der Musik steht und fällt in New Orleans alles. "Die Identität dieser Stadt ist weitgehend eine musikalische", sagt David Freedman, Manager des Radiosenders WWOZ, der so etwas ist wie das schlagende Herz der Musikszene von New Orleans. Die Musik starb nicht, im Gegenteil - sie gab der Stadt ihr Selbstbewusstsein zurück. Als der Sender während "Katrina" evakuiert wurde, sendete die Station nur fünf Tage später online von einem Server aus Newark, New Jersey.
StoryCorps New Orleans: New Orleanians Suffer Along with Haiti
October 14, 2010 - Bruce Nolan, Times-Picayune
StoryCorps, a nonprofit dedicated to providing all Americans with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve their life stories, interviewed three Haitian-Americans living in New Orleans, including WWOZ Volunteer Coordinator Maryse Dejean. The gripping tales of fear, hardship and resilience in Haiti serve as reminders of the deep connection the earthquake-ravaged nation shares with New Orleans.
Treme Brass Band: Living And Breathing New Orleans
August 28, 2010 - Mandalit Del Barco, NPR
Check out this profile of the history, trials, and persistence of the Treme Brass Band on NPR. The story contains a spotlight on Uncle Lionel Batiste (pictured) and the tale of his lost bass drum, recovered after a message went out on WWOZ's airwaves. The author talks with 'OZ host George Ingmire about that incident. There's also a video of the band leading a second line on HBO's "Treme".
The Music Behind "Treme"
July 1, 2010 - Alison Fensterstock, American Songwriter
Occasional WWOZ show host Alison Fensterstock writes about the music on the HBO series "Treme", interviewing music supervisor Blake Leyh and others involved with putting a shuffle in the show's step. There's lots of cool tidbits in the article — did you know Shamarr Allen plays trumpet "voice-overs" for the character of Delmond Lambreaux, or that Rebirth's Stafford Agee does the trombone duties for Wendell Pierce's Antoine Batiste?
» Read more on AmericanSongwriter.com
So Far, Celebrities Keeping a Low Profile on Oil Spill
June 3, 2010 - Todd Leopold, CNN
In an article about celebrities not being particularly outspoken on the BP oil disaster in the Gulf, CNN writer Todd Leopold talks with WWOZ General Manager David Freedman about Gulf Aid and the BP catastrophe. 'OZ respectfully points out that several celebrities, including Tim Robbins (pictured) among others have indeed spoken loudly on the issue.
Gulf Oil Spill: Benefit Concert Rolls On Despite Rain
May 16, 2010 - Raja Abdulrahim, The L.A. Times
Los Angeles Times Raja Abdulrahim was in New Orleans recently and caught up with WWOZ General Manager David Freedman for his article on Gulf Aid, a benefit concert at Mardi Gras World River City in New Orleans on May 16, 2010.
Gulf Coast Concert Will Feature Lenny Kravitz and Allen Toussaint
May 11, 2010 - David Itzkoff, The New York Times
WWOZ and several partners presented Gulf Aid, a benefit concert at Mardi Gras World River City in New Orleans on May 16, 2010. The proceeds will go to oil spill relief efforts and help provide financial assistance for fishermen affected by this man-made environmental disaster. Check out this brief writeup in the New York Times.
Crutchfield Reviews WWOZ
April 23, 2010 - Jim R, Crutchfield.com
Popular electronics web site Crutchfield turned its discerning eye to WWOZ for a full "radio station review". The focus is, of course, on the digital side of 'OZ, as well as on our Jazz Fest broadcasts. There's a concise history of the station included, as well as some words from 'OZ show host Tom Morgan.
Angola Inmates Get Help from WWOZ
March 19, 2010 - Alison Fensterstock, Nola.com
'OZ host Alison Fensterstock writes about the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, home to the only FCC-licensed radio station operating inside a prison. WWOZ is currently lending a hand to KLSP 91.7 FM (the Incarceration Station) by collecting vinyl records and CDs from show hosts, fans and volunteers to play on air for the 6,000 inmates.
Tom Morgan's New Book Gets Thumbs-Up Reviews
March 14, 2010 - Wade Luqet, AllAboutJazz.com
December 18, 2009 - Lee Merger, Jazz Times
'OZ show host Tom Morgan's new book, Historic Photos of New Orleans Jazz, gets a full review on AllAboutJazz.com, as well as Jazz Times' web site! Wade Luqet even makes a great listening suggestion: "This is a book best read with Louis Armstrong or Jelly Roll Morton playing in the background. It will just make the experience that much better."
» Read the review on AllAboutJazz.com
WWOZ-FM App Extends Reach of New Orleans' Jazz & Heritage Station
February 15, 2010 - Dave Walker, New Orleans Times-Picayune
Times-Picayune writer Dave Walker interviews general manager David Freedman and web editor Mike Kobrin about the free WWOZ App for Apple's iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. From vinyl to cell phone, 'OZ has the Groove covered.
WWOZ: Thirty Years of "Bringing New Orleans Music to the Universe"
February 13, 2010 - Wade Luqet, AllAboutJazz.com
Wade Luqet wrote a beautiful profile of WWOZ in its 30 Anniversary year for the popular jazz news site AllAboutJazz.com. He takes us from Hurricane Katrina onwards, describing past and current projects and talking to staff and DJs along the way.
» Read more on AllAboutJazz.com
Five iPhone Apps for Mardi Gras Travel and Celebration
February 12, 2010 - Rachel King, ZDNet.com
Rachel King writes about her five favorite apps for navigating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and WWOZ's free iPhone app is right near the top, of course. Thanks to all who've downloaded the app so far!
First Timer's Party Guide to Carnival in New Orleans
February 2, 2010 - Josh Noel, Chicago Tribune
This must-read list tells you how to get through your first Carnival in New Orleans properly. Of course, one of the most important items on the list is "Listen to WWOZ"! It appeared in the January 17 edition of the Chicago Tribune, though we founda copy online at the Calgary Herald.
Haiti Gets Help from New Orleans
January 22, 2010 - Jennifer Van Vrancken, Fox 8 News
After the January 12 Haiti earthquake that destroyed most of Port-au-Prince — including the home of WWOZ Volunteer Coordinator Maryse Dejean's family — New Orleanians familiar with struggle against disaster helped out in any way they could. This is an excellent interview with Maryse about her own efforts to help Haiti rebuild.
HBO's 'Treme' Makes Its Debut to TV Critics
January 13, 2010 - Dave Walker, Times-Picayune
This article isn't specifically about 'OZ, but it does mention that one of the characters is a WWOZ deejay. Volunteer Sally Young even sent in pics of her blue and gold WWOZ umbrella at a second line being filmed for the series, though we're not sure if that umbrella will make it past the editing room.
» Read more on Nola.com
WWOZ Gives New Orleans Jazz Fest to the World
May 2, 2009 - The Associated Press
WWOZ made headlines in May 2009, thanks to a story about us that ran on ABCnews.com and several other major news sites! The article focuses on 'OZ's commitment to covering the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and includes quotes from our own Scott Borne and Tom Morgan (pictured), as well as General Manager David Freedman.
Still Singing Those Post-Katrina Blues
August 26, 2007 - The Washington Post
This article by Post staff writer Teresa Wiltz chronicles the displacement of musicians after Hurricane Katrina from the vantage point of the deadly storm's second anniversary. She talks to John Boutte, Ivan Neville, Deacon John, and our own David Freedman among others.
New Orleans Radio Calling
September 20, 2005 - RollingStone.com
After the Federal Flood of August 2005, WWOZ made waves in Rolling Stone simply by remaining on the air during one of the darkest times in New Orleans' storied history. There are some great quotes from General Manager David Freedman (pictured), and the article by RS writer Evan Serpick details some of the post-flood trials and tribulations of the Crescent City's Jazz & Heritage station.
» Read more on RollingStone.com
