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

Ellis Marsalis Remembered: Family Memories & Music with Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis

There is no more recognizable family name in jazz from New Orleans and beyond than: Marsalis. We're paying tribute to the late pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr. who passed of Covid-19 in April 2020, and to his musical sons Branford (saxophone), Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombone) and Jason (drums and vibraphone). The conversation ranges from coming of… read more

listen

NEXT WEEK Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith

LAST WEEK San Antonio Sounds

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING TOOTS HIBBERT

Reggae legend Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals died on September 11, 2020 in Kingston, Jamaica. He was believed to be 77.

To read…

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING SYLVESTER FRANCIS OF THE BACKSTREET CULTURAL MUSEUM

Sylvester Francis, founder of the Backstreet Cultural Museum in New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood, has died after a long illness. The museum is dedicated to preserving…