Big Sounds In The Big Easy: Music For Your New Orleans Trip

New Orleans, Louisiana, is arguably one of America’s most musical cities, where rhythmic roots churn as deep as the Mississippi. Born of hope and despair, New Orleans music is as diverse as the history of its population, fueled by the influx of enslaved Africans and waves of immigrants from places like Sicily, Ireland, Germany and, in more recent years, Mexico and Central America.

The birthplace of jazz, New Orleans is the city of Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Fats Domino and Pete Fountain. It’s a place where gospel music reaches ethereal heights, marching bands swing and Mardi Gras Indians first inspired the call and response now associated with hip-hop, rap and bounce. As you prepare to make your own joyful noise in the Big Easy, this selection will get you in the mood to dance.

Stream 90.7 WWOZ live

Known locally as the Guardians of the Groove, this beloved local music station streams brass, jazz, blues and roots music 24/7. Tune in to the New Orleans Music Show at 11 a.m., Soul Serenade with musician Marc Stone at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and the Blues Breakdown on Fridays at 2 p.m. with Valerie “The Problem Child” Kacprzak. Create your own eclectic playlist by mining the station’s Most Recent 100 Songs—a lineup that often includes the legendary Jaco Pastorius’ “Soul Intro/The Chicken,” the Pogues’ “The Broad Majestic Shannon” and the Oscar Peterson Trio’s “Cheek to Cheek.” Once you’re in town, check out the daily Livewire Music Calendar on the WWOZ website for a comprehensive list of performances.

Download the TriPod: New Orleans at 300 WWNO audio podcast

Pound the pavement with fellow music lovers as brass bands stroll the streets with Big Easy flair.

This locally produced public radio podcast is a brilliant collection of microdocumentaries devoted to a single story or subject from New Orleans’ rich history. Available as a free download in the iTunes store, TriPod spotlights local artists of all sorts, from musicians to chefs, writers and comedians.

Support Basin Street Records and hear the soundtrack of New Orleans

This local label celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2017. Listen to its GiveNola Day Basin Street Records Sampler 2017 (a $10 download), and you’ll get a taste of the best homegrown jazz, funk, blues, rhythm and blues and rock music crafted by local creatives. The company’s roster includes Kermit Ruffins, Irvin Mayfield, Henry Butler, Grammy winner Jon Cleary, Rebirth Brass Band and trombone legends Bonerama.

Take it to the streets—New Orleans style

There’s nothing like a parade, a tuba-forward brass band and a tribe of Mardi Gras Indians to make you realize you’re not in Kansas anymore. The best place to discover these only-in-New Orleans cultural bonanzas that wind their way through the back of town is on the weekly Takin’ It to the Streets WWOZ Podcast with local DJ Action Jackson. Jackson has spent time in a Mardi Gras Indian tribe, which is a group of African-Americans who have paraded in Native American-influenced outfits since the mid-19th century. He has also marched as king of the Revolution and Big Nine Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, the groups that put on Second Line parades. His weekly show celebrates the people and neighborhoods you can discover at Second Lines and the brilliant plumage and music of Mardi Gras Indians. Extra points for listening to the ground-breaking Mardi Gras Indian album The Wild Tchoupitoulas recorded along with the Meters in 1976, with Big Chief Jolly on lead vocals.

Kick it late night with the Rebirth Brass Band

Brass bands have a long history in New Orleans music with European, Creole and African roots. The trailblazing Rebirth Brass Band forever changed the genre by popularizing a tuba-forward sound shaded by modern bebop jazz-meets-funk. Co-founded by trumpet player Kermit Ruffins, Rebirth funks it up with a joyful noise captured in just-try-to-sit-down tunes like “Do Whatcha Wanna” and “Feel Like Funkin’ It Up.” After brushing up on their tunes to prep for your trip, make plans to see the guys most Tuesdays at the Maple Leaf Bar.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in New Orleans.