American Routes

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

05/15/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: We are live with Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, the venerable Cajun roots, folk and modernist band, looking back and ahead after fifty years. Brothers Michael and David Doucet were joined by Michael’s son Matthew, also a fiddler and a fiddle maker. I asked David Doucet what’s it like being in a band with his brother Michael.

We are live with BeauSoleil, the venerable Cajun roots, folk and modernist band, looking back and ahead after fifty years. Brothers Michael and David Doucet were joined by Michael’s son Matthew, also a fiddler and a fiddle maker. I asked David Doucet what’s it like being in a band with his broth...

05/13/2026

This week, we look back on a live concert celebrating the music of the legendary Cajun band Beausoleil avec 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: https://buff.ly/1ca0XtM

05/08/2026

This week on American Routes Shortcuts: We’ve got jazz trumpeter from Preservation Hall, Wendell Brunious Project with his New Orleans All Stars. Wendell Brunious is from a famed New Orleans Creole jazz family. He is the son of Nazimova Santiago and John Brunious, Sr., a trumpeter who played with Onward Brass and Young Tuxedo Brass Bands, and Paul Barbarin. Wendell Brunious’ brother was the late John Brunious, Jr., also a trumpeter who lead the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Over the years, Wendell Brunious sang with Chief John and the Mahogany Hall Stompers in the 1960s. He studied at Southern University, worked with Danny Barker in the ‘70s, and later played on Bourbon Street and with Kid Thomas Valentine, Eureka Brass, Lionel Hampton, Linda Hopkins, Sammy Rimington and Louis Nelson. Right now it’s Wendell Brunious and band on American Routes Live.

This is American Routes Live, I’m Nick Spitzer. We’ve got jazz trumpeter from Preservation Hall, Wendell Brunious with his New Orleans All Stars. Wendell Brunious is from a famed New Orleans Creole jazz family. He is the son of Nazimova Santiago and John Brunious, Sr., a trumpeter who played wit...

05/06/2026

We go where the music leads us, first live at home with trumpeter Wendell Brunious Project and his New Orleans All Stars. Wendell is from a famed New Orleans Creole jazz family and is now the music director of Preservation Hall. Then we visit with the eccentric and witty songmaker and multi-instrumentalist Susan Werner with roots in rural Iowa. Susan’s stories in song are comedic and serious takes on religion, queerness, climate change and social responsibility. Plus words and music from Big Mama Thornton, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Cash and the Five Satins: https://buff.ly/DlRfFad