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JESSE WINCHESTER, WAYNE & JAYNE HENDERSON

We’ll remember the late singer-songwriter Jesse Winchester, through his music and his own words. Then a visit to Rugby, VA for a close listen into sustainable guitars and ukuleles, made by Jayne and Wayne Henderson, of Henderson Guitars.

MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE NEA NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWS: MICHAEL WHITE, BEAUSOLEIL, MONK BOUDREAUX, DEL MCCOURY, KOKO TAYLOR AND MANY MORE...

American Routes celebrates Memorial Day weekend with a sonic feast from National Endowment for the Arts’ Heritage Fellows—recipients of America’s most prestigious award in folk & traditional arts. We’ll hear music and conversation from past Fellows: bluegrass picker Del McCoury, rockabilly Wanda Jackson, sacred steel guitarists, the Campbell Brothers, and late blues singer Koko Taylor. The 2016 Fellows included: Mardi Gras Indian Chief Monk Boudreaux, Irish accordionist Billy McComiskey and Mexican-American singer Artemio Posadas. Other awardees range from basketmakers in Kentucky and the Penobscot tribe in Maine, to traditional wind instrumentalists from South Dakota and Laos.

LOS ANGELES: SOUNDTRACK FOR THE ANGELS

In this special program American Routes’ host Nick Spitzer uncovers the music and cultural traditions of Los Angeles: from Hollywood to neighborhood. Join Nick as he travels across the City of Angels to hear from L.A. legends — including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and songwriter Randy Newman — and explores musical cultures with Cambodian-born rapper PraCh Ly in Long Beach, Louisiana Creole zydeco accordionist T-Lou in South Central, and East L.A.‘s Ersi Arvizu. Plus conversations and music from Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos, R & B saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, and rockabilly guitarist Glen Glenn. Along the way we visit L.A. musical landmarks – including the famed Capitol Records recording studios.

MOTHER'S DAY

American Routes celebrates Mother’s Day with Marty Stuart and his mom, Hilda. We’ll talk about their shared love of photography and a certain girl singer, Connie Smith. Then we’ll hear stories about mothers from Fontella Bass, Sonny Rollins, Bo Diddley, and Geno Delafose, among others. Plus songs from blues to bluegrass about and for dear old mom.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVALS OF NOW AND YORE: SONNY ROLLINS, MCCOY TYNER, HERLIN RILEY, CELIA CRUZ, LEE KONITZ, TOPSY CHAPMAN & MORE

This week on American Routes, we’re celebrating the 47th annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with songs and interviews from the performers that make the festival happen. We hear from longtime local favorites, like chanteuse Topsy Chapman and funk drummer Herlin Riley… as well as perennial visitors and jazz titans, McCoy Tyner and Sonny Rollins. We’ll delve into the archives to remember the late Cuban songstress Celia Cruz… and revisit our interview with saxophonist Lee Konitz, who is making his Jazz Fest premier in 2017.