We look back at the year 2005 that brought catastrophe to the Gulf Coast region, and look forward to the rebuilding and rejuvenation of the area through music, including Duke Ellington’s great New Orleans Suite. Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield joins us to narrate a recent live performance of his new composition “All the Saints” with the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra from Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans. Also, traditional jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White ruminates on the loss of musical collections, from a King Oliver clarinet to Jelly Roll Morton sheet music, and carrying on post-Katrina. And a montage of voices from victims of Hurricane Rita in French southwest Louisiana.

Sleigh Bells will be ringing in New Orleans, and there will be plenty of great seasonal music as well. Plus, jazz writer and musicologist John Szwed talks about the Jelly Roll Morton Library of Congress recordings.

New Orleans is a city and a concept, dear to folks worldwide, maybe more so now than ever. American Routes does its part to keep spirits high and focused on the city’s rebirth with a visit from the always dapper piano professor Allen Toussaint and members of the group that best embodies the city’s musical legacy, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.