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

Empress of the Blues: Bessie Smith

Bessie Smith was called the Empress of the Blues, but she was also the highest paid African American entertainer of her generation. We'll explore the life and times of Bessie Smith from her early days performing on Chattanooga street corners and her travels on the TOBA circuit to her decade as a top selling… read more

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NEXT WEEK Swinging with Mockingbirds and Milk Cows: Los Cenzontles & The Hot Club of Cowtown

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

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…