Today, CIUT broadcasted a special New Orleans relief benefit in conjunction with the Art of Jazz festival in The Distillery District. It wouldn't have been complete with out some kind of Big Easy / Big Smoke connection, so we simulcasted the event with WWOZ 90.7 in N'Orlins. With us was one of their programmers, Keith "Blueberry" Hill, who told us that after Katrina, WWOZ somehow found its way back onto the airwaves, and although they were forced to relocate and make a number of space concessions, they still continue to be the voice of New Orleans heritage and culture. Their website has some excellent photos from this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival, featuring Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Allen Toussaint, The Meters and all the others who played that spectacular festival in spite of the slow, frustrating and painful reconstruction of the city.

A few acts from New Orleans made it to Toronto for today's broadcast, most notably the Soul Rebels Brass Band, who combine traditional Louisianan marching band styles with hip hop and funk. Only one of them still lives in New Orleans, while the rest commute to back to the city once a week from as far away as Houston.

In the meantime, check out Home of the Groove for some classic New Orleans tunes.

ESB PLAYLIST 5/19/06

POLYSICS - Ceolakanth is Android (MSTRKRFT Remix)
DELIA GONZALEZ + GAVIN RUSSOM - Relevee (Carl Craig Remix)
THEO PARRISH - Falling Up (Carl Craig Remix)
BOARDS OF CANADA - Left Side Drive
PRIMAL SCREAM - When the Bomb Drops
SONIC YOUTH - Jams Run Free
THE DOERS - Sports Cars for Everyone
THE DOERS - Don't Know Bros
LILY ALLEN - Little Things
BELL ORCHESTRE - Bucephalus Bouncing Ball