American Routes is blues and jazz, gospel and soul, rockabilly and country, Cajun and swamp pop, Tejano, Latin… and beyond. Songs and stories from musicians describe a deep and diverse nation with sounds and styles shared by all Americans. From the bayous to the beltways, from crossroads to crosstown, on interstates and city streets, turn up your radio for the sonic journey!
American Routes—produced in New Orleans since 1998
New Orleans Jazz Clarinet, Mande Songs & Louisiana Zydeco Live
February 5, 2025
It’s New Orleans jazz clarinet in street parades and clubs. We’ll hear clarinet in the hands of past and present legends: George Lewis, Sidney Bechet, Dr. Michael White and Aurora Nealand, plus a conversation with a sometime New Orleans clarinet virtuoso, Evan Christopher. Then, a live cultural exchange between French Louisiana and West Africa with singer, percussionist and dancer Sidiki Conde from Guinea and zydeco accordionist, cultural historian and sometime alligator wrangler, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes.
NEXT WEEK
Give the Drummer Some: with Earl Palmer, JM Van Eaton, Adonis Rose, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
It’s time to give the drummer some, with late New Orleans native Earl Palmer talking about his creative percussion for Fats Domino and Little Richard sessions; and conversation with Memphis rockabilly JM Van Eaton about backing Jerry Lee Lewis; plus rhythm and time-keeping in music from Elvis and Johnny Cash to Smokey Johnson and Slim Gaillard. Then a live set dedicated to the soul, funk and jazz of New Orleans drummer James Black with Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
LAST WEEK
Eclectic Excellence: Pittsburgh Guitarist George Benson & New Orleans Clarinetist Aurora Nealand
We explore eclectic excellence with African American jazz guitar elder George Benson, who started with guitar/organ trios and has a signature sound for the ages. Then young clarinet/sax virtuoso Aurora Nealand plays traditional and modern jazz, and more, crediting Stravinsky, New Orleans Sidney Bechet and “hippie parents” for inspiration. Plus music from BB King, Louis Prima, Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Atkins.
Sam Moore by Gage Skidmore
Remembering Sam Moore
Sam Moore, of the soul duo Sam and Dave, passed away on Friday January 10th at age 89. As a ’60s “Soul Man,” he recorded a string of jukebox classics, then pressed through difficult times and emerged with a second career on his own.
You can hear our interview with him here: https://bit.ly/40zu37c
To read more about Sam Moore’s life, click here: https://bit.ly/4akGPK7