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
4th of July with the American Folklife Center
July 1, 2026
We celebrate our nation’s 250th year with a live concert in honor of the American Folklife Center’s 50-year legacy at the Library of Congress, sponsored by and hosted at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in the French Quarter. We’ll hear New Orleans jazz from trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his Barbecue Swingers, Afro-Creole Louisiana acapella Juré, a mix of French and Native American songs from the band Bogue Chitto, Creole fiddle tunes from Cedric Watson, Cajun music from accordionist and singer Bruce Daigrepont, Afro-French zydeco and blues from South Louisiana accordionist Jeffery Broussard, classic folk songs from Johnette Downing & Scott Billington, Bentonia, Mississippi blues from guitar slinger Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and the latest Cajun French stylings of Louis Michot and Swamp Magic. From the Library of Congress, Head of Research and Programs, John Fenn, visits to speak about 50 years of the American Folklife Center and our collaborative efforts. May the Fourth be with you, on American Routes!
NEXT WEEK
Black & White Crossover in Country Music and Beyond… Plus Blues from Baton Rouge
This week on American Routes, we dip into crossover currents of country music sung by Black American performers, including Ray Charles, Ike and Tina Turner, and Fats Domino. We’ll also hear white musicians influenced by Black music: Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Dylan. Then, it’s the Baton Rouge Blues legacy, with recordings from Buddy Guy, Slim Harpo, Silas Hogan, Tabby Thomas and the late harmonica man Raful Neal. Plus a live performance from Raful Neal’s son, Kenny Neal, a mouth harp and guitar player, now the senior statesman and artist from the Baton Rouge Blues scene.
Sonny Rollins & Bob French
The late saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins ignited the jazz scene ever since he was a kid in the 1940s, hanging out with his mentor Thelonious Monk. We’ll revisit our conversation with the jazz master about his work with Miles and Monk, among others, and his improvisatory explorations. Then, we’ll visit with New Orleans’ own jazz legend, the late Bob French, who led the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, to learn the finer points of keeping time in the Crescent City.
Remembering Sonny Rollins
Saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins passed away Monday afternoon at his Woodstock, N.Y. home at the age of 95. We spoke with Rollins about his work with Miles and Monk among others, and his improvisatory explorations. You can find that interview here.
To find out more about Sonny Rollins, click here.