ABOUT DJ SPARKY
You can stream WWOZ anywhere in the world or tune in locally at 90.7 FM.
Last August 2025, I began hosting a radio show on one of the greatest radio stations on planet Earth—WWOZ. Based in New Orleans for more than 45 years, WWOZ is a treasured cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage. The station’s studio sits on the beautifully restored fifth floor of the historic Jax Brewery building, overlooking the Mississippi River and the French Quarter.
Radio has always been part of my story. In the early 1980s, I was a disc jockey at KSLU while attending Southeastern Louisiana University, so the DJ bug bit me early. Hosting a music show in New Orleans—especially one focused on brass bands and traditional jazz—had long been on my bucket list.
The opportunity finally came when I began substituting for other DJs at WWOZ. When the Saturday morning New Orleans music slot opened up, I gladly accepted.
“Sparky” has been my nickname since 1980, making DJ Sparky’s Saturday Morning Music Adventure the perfect fit. Every show begins with my unofficial theme song: a short, joyful opening by the Olympia Brass Band called Everything’s Lovely. From there, the journey unfolds—old-school brass band music, deep cuts of traditional New Orleans jazz, forgotten gems, and plenty of musical surprises.
There’s no script and very little planning. Most Saturday mornings, I wake up early, dig through my collection, and follow wherever the music takes me. Much of what I play comes from my personal vinyl collection, along with CDs and an extensive digital archive.
Some weeks, I spotlight a legendary New Orleans musician and take a deeper dive into their life and music. I enjoy sharing stories behind the artists, recordings, and history because context matters. Having spent years studying and performing New Orleans music, I try to bring both knowledge and passion to every broadcast.
Every few months, I also invite special guests to join me for relaxed, in-depth conversations about music, recordings, and life on the bandstand. So far, guests have included Leroy Jones, Charlie Gabriel, Ben Jaffe, Mark Braud, and the legendary non New Orleans pianist Kenny Barron. I especially enjoy conversations with musicians who carry the traditions of old-school New Orleans music forward.
Hosting this show is both an honor and a privilege. I’ve listened to WWOZ since its early days broadcasting from Tipitina’s, and I take this role seriously while thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.
WWOZ is a listener-supported station. If you’d like to help keep this incredible music alive, consider becoming a Guardian of the Groove by supporting the station at WWOZ.org.