In the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant music scene, WWOZ radio stands as a cultural beacon broadcasting the soul-stirring sounds of the Big Easy. This beloved community radio station has been pumping out jazz, blues, brass band, and traditional New Orleans music since 1980 bringing authentic local flavor to listeners worldwide.
WWOZ isn’t your typical radio station – it’s a musical gumbo that captures the spirit of New Orleans’ diverse cultural heritage. Run largely by passionate volunteers and supported by devoted listeners this grassroots station has become the go-to source for discovering both legendary musicians and up-and-coming local talent. From second-line parades to late-night jazz sessions WWOZ serves up the raw unfiltered essence of the city’s rich musical traditions.
What Is WWOZ Radio?
WWOZ radio operates as a non-profit community radio station broadcasting at 90.7 FM from New Orleans, Louisiana. The station transmits distinctive New Orleans music programming 24 hours a day through traditional radio waves and online streaming.
History and Origins
WWOZ first aired in 1980 from a beer storage room above Tipitina’s music club in uptown New Orleans. The station’s call letters “OZ” emerged from the founding brothers Walter and Jerry Brock’s vision of creating a magical radio experience, drawing inspiration from “The Wizard of Oz.” Moving through several locations including Armstrong Park, WWOZ found its current home at the French Market Corporation building in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. The station maintained its broadcast presence during the hurricane’s aftermath through temporary facilities in Baton Rouge and online streaming.
Community-Driven Mission
WWOZ functions entirely through volunteer programming with over 100 local DJs sharing their musical expertise and extensive record collections. The station operates on listener support, corporate underwriting and community partnerships to maintain its independent broadcasting status. WWOZ preserves New Orleans cultural heritage by featuring live music recordings from local venues, festivals and street performances. The station provides platforms for emerging artists alongside established musicians, creating opportunities for local talent to reach broader audiences. Special programs highlight traditional New Orleans music forms including brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs and second-line parades.
Programming and Music Format
WWOZ’s programming celebrates the rich musical heritage of New Orleans through a diverse schedule of jazz, blues, traditional brass band music, rhythm & blues, Caribbean, Latin, Brazilian, African, zydeco, Cajun, gospel, bluegrass, Irish, rock, and hip-hop.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
WWOZ dedicates significant airtime to traditional New Orleans jazz, preserving the city’s musical legacy. Show segments feature archived recordings of legendary performers like Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Kid Ory alongside contemporary jazz artists. The station broadcasts live performances from iconic venues including Preservation Hall, Palm Court Jazz Cafe, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro. Special programming highlights cultural traditions such as Social Aid & Pleasure Club parades, Mardi Gras Indian ceremonies, second line celebrations.
Live Music Schedule
WWOZ maintains a comprehensive live music calendar listing over 300 performances weekly across New Orleans venues. The station broadcasts live sets from major music festivals including Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, Satchmo SummerFest. DJs announce upcoming shows during their shifts, providing venue details, start times, cover charges. A searchable online calendar at wwoz.org features filters for music genres, neighborhoods, dates. The station partners with venues to offer exclusive recordings of performances at Tipitina’s, House of Blues, The Maple Leaf Bar.
WWOZ’s Cultural Impact
WWOZ radio shapes New Orleans’ cultural landscape through its dedication to local music preservation broadcasting. The station’s influence extends beyond traditional radio programming into community building cultural preservation.
Supporting Local Musicians
WWOZ provides emerging artists with broadcast opportunities through dedicated segments spotlighting new talent. Local musicians receive airplay alongside established artists on regular rotation programming slots. The station’s live music calendar connects performers with venues clubs throughout New Orleans. Professional recording sessions at WWOZ’s studio offer musicians high-quality demos to advance their careers. Featured artist interviews give performers platforms to share their stories music directly with listeners.
Preserving Musical Traditions
WWOZ maintains an extensive archive of 40+ years of live recordings from New Orleans venues festivals street performances. The station documents traditional music forms including brass bands Mardi Gras Indians Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs through specialized programming blocks. Educational segments explore the historical roots techniques of New Orleans musical styles. Partnerships with cultural institutions help digitize preserve rare recordings of influential local artists. The station’s archive serves as a living repository of New Orleans’ musical evolution capturing performances that might otherwise go undocumented.
How to Listen to WWOZ
WWOZ broadcasts New Orleans’ distinctive music through multiple platforms. Listeners access the station’s programming through traditional radio frequencies or digital streaming services.
Radio Frequencies
WWOZ broadcasts at 90.7 FM across the greater New Orleans area with a signal range of approximately 50 miles. The station transmits from its antenna located in the French Market Corporation building, providing clear reception throughout Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish, St. Bernard Parish, parts of St. Tammany Parish. Mobile listeners tune in while traveling through these areas using car radios or portable FM receivers. The signal strength varies based on geographic location, weather conditions, and surrounding buildings.
Digital Streaming Options
WWOZ offers continuous online streaming through wwoz.org and its mobile app available on iOS and Android devices. The station’s web player operates 24/7, delivering real-time broadcasts to listeners worldwide. Mobile app users access additional features including program schedules, playlist information, and exclusive content. Amazon Alexa users stream WWOZ by enabling the WWOZ skill. TuneIn Radio carries WWOZ’s stream, making it accessible through smart TVs, gaming consoles, and connected home devices. The station archives recent shows on its website for on-demand listening.
Supporting WWOZ Radio
WWOZ radio operates through community support sustaining its mission to preserve New Orleans’ musical heritage. The station offers multiple ways for music enthusiasts to contribute to its continued operation.
Membership Programs
WWOZ’s membership program, “Guardians of the Groove,” provides essential financial support for the station’s operations. Members receive exclusive benefits including limited-edition merchandise, early access to special events tickets, discounts at partner businesses throughout New Orleans. Three membership tiers accommodate different support levels: Basic ($72/year), Brass Pass ($250/year), Heritage Circle ($1000/year). Each tier unlocks additional perks such as backstage passes to live broadcasts, priority access to special recordings. Digital members gain access to the WWOZ archives featuring 40+ years of recorded performances.
Volunteer Opportunities
WWOZ engages volunteers in various roles supporting its broadcasting mission. Show hosts curate music programming across genres including jazz, blues, zydeco. Technical volunteers assist with live remote broadcasts from festivals venues. Event support teams help coordinate fundraising activities membership drives. Office volunteers manage administrative tasks including database maintenance membership correspondence. Production assistants aid in recording editing live performances creating promotional content. Training programs equip volunteers with broadcasting skills technical knowledge necessary for their roles.
Conclusion
WWOZ stands as a vital cornerstone of New Orleans’ musical heritage serving as more than just a radio station. Its dedication to preserving and promoting the city’s rich musical traditions through volunteer-driven programming sets it apart in today’s digital age.
Through multiple listening platforms live broadcasts and community engagement WWOZ continues to be an irreplaceable cultural treasure. As technology evolves and musical tastes change the station remains true to its mission of keeping New Orleans’ unique sound alive for future generations while adapting to meet modern listeners’ needs.
