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

THIS 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,… read more

listen

NEXT WEEK Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla KoutatÃ©

LAST WEEK Memorial Day with the 2022 National Heritage Fellows

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING CHRIS STRACHWITZ

Chris Strachwitz, founder of Arhoolie Records, has died at age 91. Below is Nick Spitzer’s statement on his passing:

“Chris had been ailing for some…

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING HARRY BELAFONTE

Harry Belafonte, the great singer, activist, and actor known for popularizing calypso music and breaking down racial barriers passed away April 25 at age 96.…