AMERICAN ROUTES
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté June 7th, 2023 (Hour 1)
Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté

It’s Blueswomen, Jazzmen, African roots and branches. Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland‘s father, the late blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, brought her into his music as a child. As an adult, she found new ways to use blues to express her perspective. We’ll hear from some of Shemekia’s heroes including Etta James, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunter and Big Mama Thornton. Then a conversation and performance by Boston-based Mandinka balafon player Balla Kouyaté and music inspired by and from the continent of Africa from Randy Weston, Miriam Makeba and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

Shemekia Copeland photo by Mike White

  • Info
  • ABOUT
  • BEST OF
  • UPCOMING
  • ARCHIVE
  • SUPPORT
  • JOURNAL
  • STATIONS
  • MEDIA KIT
  • INDEX
  • STAFF
  • CONTACT
BROWSE BY DATE
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998

SUPPORT GREAT STORYTELLING

We rely on your support to remain on air and online. Your contribution helps us bring you interviews with great American artists and the carefully curated music mix that you’ve enjoyed over the years.

Donate

 

AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM

AMERICAN ROUTES 5TH ANNIVERSARY

July 30th, 2003

It’s been 5 years since American Routes first hit the airwaves, and we’re celebrating! Hour 1 highlights include well-wishes from listeners, anniversary songs, and great conversations over the years with Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, the late Jerry Garcia, Norah Jones, Dolly Parton and Harry Shearer (of The Simpsons). Devoted fans will be amused by a look at our retro selves, and new listeners can hear how this all started! Hour 2 is our 5th Anniversary concert at the House of Blues, with New Orleans greats Irma Thomas, Frogman Henry, Kermit Ruffins and Henry Butler, and special guests Shemekia Copeland and Keb’ Mo’.

  • Listen to Hour One
  • Listen to Hour Two

HOUR ONE

  • Open Bed: Having A Party Sam Cooke
    Greatest Hits, RCA
  • Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Jerry Lee Lewis
    Classic, Bear Family
  • SEGMENT: Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller

    Listen
  • Instrumental: It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) McCoy Tyner
    Plays Ellington, Impulse
  • CLIP: Dolly Parton

    Listen
  • CLIP: Jerry Garcia

    Listen
  • CLIP: Bob Moog

    Listen
  • CLIP: Olu Dara

    Listen
  • CLIP:

    Listen
  • Jump for Joy Herb Jeffries and Ellington
    Centennial Collection, RCA
  • CLIP: McCoy Tyner

    Listen
  • CLIP: Norah Jones

    Listen
  • Lonestar Norah Jones with Willie Nelson
    Willie Nelson & Friends: Stars & Guitars, Universal
  • CLIP: Willie Nelson

    Listen
  • Pick Up the Tempo Willie Nelson
    Recorded live at the Sea Saint Studio, New Orleans,
  • Instrumental: Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (and Dream Your Troubles Away) Dick Hyman
    Sweet and Lowdown soundtrack, Sony
  • CLIP: Haydee Lafaye
  • CLIP: Harry Shearer

    Listen
  • CLIP: Wayne Henderson

    Listen
  • Sweet Georgia Brown Doc Watson & Wayne Henderson
    Recorded live at the Todd General Store, NC,
  • CLIP: Nathan Williams

    Listen
  • Get Up Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas
    Recorded live at El-Sid O's, Lafayette, LA,
  • CLIP: Ray Charles

    Listen
  • Let the Good Times Roll Ray Charles
    Genius & Soul, Rhino
  • CLIP:

    Listen

HOUR two

  • Open Bed: Palm Court Strut Kermit Ruffins
    Big Easy, Basin Street
  • Ain't Nobody's Business Shemekia Copeland with Keb' Mo'
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,

    Listen
  • Original Opening Tune Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,
  • Basin St. Blues Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,
  • Instrumental: Blues for New Orleans Duke Ellington
    New Orleans Suite, Atlantic
  • Night In Tunisia Kermit Ruffins & Irvin Mayfield
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,

    Listen
  • Piano Solo / Mardi Gras in New Orleans Henry Butler
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,

    Listen
  • Ain't Got No Home Frogman Henry
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,

    Listen
  • Alvin Red Tyler & The Gyros
    We Love To Rock 'N' Roll: Ace: New Orleans Rock 'N' Roll R&B Party, Westside
  • It's Raining Irma Thomas
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,
  • You Can Have My Husband Irma Thomas
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,
  • Skokiaan Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers
    Recorded live at American Routes 5th Anniversary Concert,
  • End Bed: Basin Street Blues Sidney Bechet
    The Best of Sidney Bechet, Blue Note

THE LATEST STREAMS

  • June 7th, 2023

    BLUES AND JAZZ, AFRICAN ROOTS AND BRANCHES WITH SHEMEKIA COPELAND AND BALLA KOUYATé

    Listen
  • May 31st, 2023

    PIANO PEOPLE AND MORE: JASON MORAN & HEATH ALLEN

    Listen
  • May 24th, 2023

    MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE 2022 NATIONAL HERITAGE FELLOWS

    Listen
A|R

  • Donate
A|R AMERICAN ROUTES
  • ABOUT
  • BEST OF
  • ARCHIVE
  • UPCOMING
  • SUPPORT US
  • JOURNAL
  • STATIONS
  • STAFF
  • CONTACT
  • Tulane University
  • NEA
  • PRX
  • New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund
  • Jim Hart