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

Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Koutaté

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… read more

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NEXT WEEK Sacred Steel Brother and a Jazz Master: Robert Randolph, Calvin Cooke and Yusef Lateef

LAST WEEK Piano People and More: Jason Moran & Heath Allen

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.…