American Routes

06/17/2026

For Juneteenth, it’s music from The Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Bob Dylan, plus classic jazz, reggae and a new generation of singers: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Norah Jones and Questlove. Then, songs, rhythms and histories from the Georgia Sea Islands : https://buff.ly/MBpXHuJ

06/12/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: We’re live at Marigny Studios with Little Freddie King, an old school bluesman from McComb, Mississippi who lives in New Orleans’ 9th Ward. Little Freddie is a great teller of tales. During the session, we talked about his comings and goings in music, and I asked about the story behind his homemade first guitar.

We’re live at Marigny Studios with Little Freddie King, an old school bluesman from McComb, Mississippi who lives in New Orleans’ 9th Ward. Little Freddie is a great teller of tales. During the session, we talked about his comings and goings in music, and I asked about the story behind his homem...

06/10/2026

Blues…it’s a universal solvent in music. There’s blues in jazz, R & B, roots rock and soul, country, Cajun, Latin, funk, hip-hop, rock and pop… It’s everywhere! We’ll hear from all corners of the musical map including Bessie Smith, Buddy Guy, Freddy Fender and Clifton Chenier and more. Then, an hour with octogenarian electric country blues man Little Freddie King live from Marigny Studios in New Orleans: https://buff.ly/sjfdiYo

06/05/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: It's a tribute to the legendary New Orleans drummer, James Black. Black also composed tunes like "Monkey Puzzle" and "Dee Wee," both recorded by Ellis Marsalis' ensemble in the early 1960s. As a composer, Black received support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Adonis Rose Adonis Rose & The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra- NOJO

This is American Routes with a tribute to the legendary New Orleans drummer, James Black. Black also composed tunes like "Monkey Puzzle" and "Dee Wee," both recorded by Ellis Marsalis' ensemble in the early 1960s. As a composer, Black received support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

06/03/2026

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 PRESLEY 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 Adonis Rose & The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra- NOJO: https://buff.ly/KL5qZWO

05/29/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: It's American Routes Live with New Orleans trombonist Corey Henry and his Treme Funktet at Marigny Studios, at the edge of the French Quarter. As the name of the band suggests, the Faubourg Tremé is an important part of Corey’s family history and his development as a musician. I asked him about the origins of the group.

This is American Routes Live with New Orleans trombonist Corey Henry and his Treme Funktet at Marigny Studios, at the edge of the French Quarter. As the name of the band suggests, the Faubourg Tremé is an important part of Corey’s family history and his development as a musician. I asked him abou...

05/27/2026

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: https://bit.ly/4nRWmIb

The legendary jazz saxophonist, who revolutionized the art of improvisation, died Monday at his home in Woodstock, N.Y.

05/27/2026

It’s our curated mix of trad and modern jazz, blues, soul and country from Cannonball Adderley and Betty Carter, Guitar Slim and Slim Harpo. We’ll come in out of the blues pouring down like rain and get to the sunny side of the street with Peggy Lee and Benny Goodman, party with Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald; and walk on with Waylon Jennings and Nancy Sinatra. Then a live genre blending, but not bending, set with New Orleans’ trombonist Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet: https://buff.ly/rCreEsw

05/22/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: Creole accordion player Edward, “Eddie,” Poullard is a third-generation musician, born in Eunice, LA. He moved to Beaumont, TX, as a young child with his French-speaking family, and started learning music from father, John, a well-known old-time La-La accordionist. When he was nineteen, Eddie played house parties and church dances in his father’s group, the Poullard Family Band. He went on to learn from and tour with Creole fiddler Canray Fontenot. Eddie Poullard is also a master woodworker, specializing in building accordions. He keeps the tradition alive by teaching Creole and Cajun fiddle and accordion styles at festivals and music camps, as well as mentoring musicians from his community and own family.

Creole accordion player Edward, “Eddie,” Poullard is a third-generation musician, born in Eunice, LA. He moved to Beaumont, TX, as a young child with his French-speaking family, and started learning music from father, John, a well-known old-time La-La accordionist. When he was nineteen, Eddie pl...

05/20/2026

This Memorial Day weekend, we hear from the 2025 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows. As our country gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, we meet the great traditional musicians, storytellers, artisans, and cultural advocates who have received our nation’s highest honor in the folk arts. We’ll visit with the honorees, including Creole French musician, Edward Poullard; Haitian dancer and drummer, Peniel Guerrier; Japanese folk dancer, Adrienne Reiko Iwanaga; bit and spur maker, Ernie Marsh; Sicangu Lakota artist and educator, Steve Tamayo; Mexican Folk costume maker and dancer, Carmen Baron; and men's choral and bandura ensemble, the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus of North America. We’ll also hear music and conversation from some of our favorite fellows from years past: bluegrass hero The Del McCoury Band, dancer and drummer from the West African Congo, Sidiki Conde/Tokounou Dance Company, and New Orleans jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White plus a glimpse into an historic Clifton Chenier box set, released in early 2026 for the late Louisiana Creole French King of Zydeco’s 100th birthday: https://buff.ly/ZpIUCFM

National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) Smithsonian Folkways Recordings Arhoolie Records