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
Creoles and Cowgirls: Charlie Gabriel and the Quebe Sisters
November 5, 2025
We hit up Preservation Hall in the French Quarter for a potent dose of trad jazz, as bandleader and fourth-generation Creole musician Charlie Gabriel tells of his Caribbean roots, jazz funerals, and New Orleans’ hybrid rhythms. Then we head to the Lonestar state to hear the reworking of jazz into Texas swing, as played by the Quebe Sisters. The fiddling siblings tell of their sheltered upbringing outside Ft. Worth and their fiery baptism into western swing. Plus, we spin other pioneering Creoles — Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Fats Domino — and country & western greats from Bob Wills to Willie Nelson.
NEXT WEEK
American Routes Live: Cajun Troubadour Zachary Richard and New Orleans Creole Jazzman Don Vappie
It’s American Routes Live in concert and conversation with musicians from southwest Louisiana Cajun and New Orleans Creole life. Singer Songwriter Zachary Richard has been called the most American of French songwriters and the most French of American songwriters. We’ll visit with Zachary and his band live at Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana for a walk through his nearly 50 year catalog of songs. Then Creole jazz banjoman Don Vappie updates musical history while keeping the New Orleans traditional sound alive, live from Marigny Studios near the French Quarter.
Hallows & Harvest: American Routes Halloween Special
It’s Halloween… a time of spirit and flesh, tricks and treats. We’ll hear from Houma Indian carver and instrument-maker, Ivy Billiot, about rougarou – or werewolves – and the spirit world. Then, Bentonia bluesman Jimmy “Duck” Holmes tells us about the devil in daily life. Also, songs about murder, mayhem, and beings from beyond the stars… and beyond the grave. Plus music from Dr. John and Memphis Minnie, Hank Williams, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.
Remembering Flaco Jiménez & Eddie Palmieri
Flaco Jiménez, king of the conjunto accordion, passed away Thursday, July 31, at age 86.
Nuyorican jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri passed away on Wednesday, August 6, at the age of 88.
You can find our interviews with Flaco Jiménez and Eddie Palmieri here.