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

After the Storm: Katrina at 20

August 27, 2025

20 years ago, the levees failed after Hurricane Katrina and covered 80% of New Orleans in water. The Federal flood left a human and ecological disaster in its wake. We take a look back at the catastrophe, recovery and renewed hope for the culture of the Crescent City with Dr. John, Irma Thomas, the Rebirth Brass Band and Allen Toussaint and archival audio from our first broadcast, After the Storm in September 2005. 

NEXT WEEK

Piano People and More: Jason Moran & Heath Allen

Jazz pianist Jason Moran started out in Houston playing classical music, but found his way to jazz through Thelonious Monk. We’ll learn more about his adventures in the NYC jazz scene. Then a conversation and tour around the piano with Philadelphia cabaret player and creator Heath Allen, plus music from Fats Waller, Jerry Lee Lewis, Herbie Hancock, and Sweet Emma.

Jason Moran

LAST WEEK

Celebrating 50 Years of BeauSoleil Live

This week, we look back on a live concert celebrating the music of the legendary Cajun band BeauSoleil, led by fiddler Michael Doucet, with family and friends in their 50th year of playing Louisiana French folk and popular music locally and globally, all in front of a packed hometown house in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

ROUTES JOURNAL

Remembering Flaco Jiménez & Eddie Palmieri

Flaco Jiménez, king of the conjunto accordion, passed away Thursday, July 31, at age 86.

Nuyorican jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri passed away on Wednesday, August 6, at the age of 88.

You can find our interviews with Flaco Jiménez and Eddie Palmieri here.

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