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American Folklife CenterThis is American Routes for the Fourth of July weekend, celebrating our country’s 250th year and more live music recalling the fiftieth anniversary of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center. Including Afro-French zydeco and blues from South Louisiana accordionist Jeffery Broussard, classic folk songs from Johnette Downing and Scott Billington, Bentonia, Mississippi, blues from guitar slinger Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, and the latest Cajun French stylings of Louis Michot and band. First, here’s John Fenn, Head of Research and Programs at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, to tell a bit about the Center’s work and legacy over the last half century.
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The Historic New Orleans Collection spotlights Edwin Blair, an early supporter of Jon and Gypsy Lou Webb's Loujon Press in New Orleans. -
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The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of those enslaved in the Sea Islands of Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina. Because of the remoteness of the plantations, the Gullah Geechee were able to retain some of their African traditions, including the ring shout. It’s a ritual in which participants move counterclockwise in a circle while shuffling and stomping their feet and clapping their hands, in call and response fashion. The tradition is rooted in West African culture, mixed with elements of Christianity. The Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters from Darien, Georgia have preserved this ancestral heritage through performance and education since 1980. They joined us on stage at the New Orleans Jazz Museum where they started with a song you will probably recognize, that came from the Gullah Geechee culture. -
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We’re live at Marigny Studios with Little Freddie King, an old school bluesman from McComb, Mississippi who lives in New Orleans’ 9th Ward. Little Freddie is a great teller of tales. During the session, we talked about his comings and goings in music, and I asked about the story behind his homemade first guitar. -
Every year, Elvis fans flock to Tupelo to celebrate the King in his hometown — including some of his youngest fans, who perform like the rock icon in competition. -
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This is American Routes with a tribute to the legendary New Orleans drummer, James Black. Black also composed tunes like "Monkey Puzzle" and "Dee Wee," both recorded by Ellis Marsalis' ensemble in the early 1960s. As a composer, Black received support from the National Endowment for the Arts. -
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This is American Routes Live with New Orleans trombonist Corey Henry and his Treme Funktet at Marigny Studios, at the edge of the French Quarter. As the name of the band suggests, the Faubourg Tremé is an important part of Corey’s family history and his development as a musician. I asked him about the origins of the group.
