New Orleans, Louisiana, is world-renowned as the birthplace of jazz. From its earliest roots in Dixieland—often called traditional jazz or simply New Orleans jazz—the city has cultivated generations of musicians who have shaped American music. Tonight on JamFest, the What is Hip?! Radio Show dives deep into the city’s vibrant soundscape, spotlighting two major 2025 releases that showcase New Orleans’ musical versatility: Big Freedia’s gospel debut and PJ Morton’s transcontinental album.
Big Freedia Presses Onward with Gospel
In August 2025, Big Freedia released her debut gospel album, Pressing Onward, blending her signature bounce style with the spiritual depth of gospel. Inspired by the Pressing Onward Baptist Church, which she attended as a child, the album is deeply personal. It was released in the wake of her partner’s passing, to whom the record is dedicated, adding layers of poignancy and emotional resonance.
Big Freedia has been sharing this new musical chapter on major stages, including the 2025 Outside Lands Music Festival, and the album has garnered coverage on NPR, highlighting its innovative fusion of bounce rhythms with gospel tradition. Pressing Onward represents a new frontier for New Orleans music, bridging contemporary bounce with the city’s rich spiritual roots.
PJ Morton’s Cape Town to Cairo Bridges Continents
Also released in August 2025, PJ Morton’s album Cape Town to Cairo was recorded over 30 days while traveling across five African countries, a journey that infuses the project with global rhythms, contemporary R&B, and gospel influences. Morton’s approach reflects both his musical heritage and his commitment to innovation, offering a cross-cultural sound that resonates far beyond New Orleans.
Earlier this year, Morton launched “A PJ Morton Production,” a series dedicated to elevating emerging artists in hip-hop, R&B, and gospel. The series features releases from New Orleans rapper La Reezy and gospel singer Darrel Walls, further cementing Morton’s role as a champion for local talent. He has already performed at the Cincinnati Music Festival in July 2025 and has a New Orleans show scheduled for November 28, 2025.
Live Music in New Orleans – October Highlights
New Orleans continues to pulse with live music and cultural events this October:
- NOLA Funk Fest (October 17–18): Featuring legends like Irma Thomas and George Porter Jr.
- The Low End Theory Players: Celebrated their 10th anniversary with a tribute to A Tribe Called Quest at Tipitina’s on October 17
- Whitney Mixon: Album release party for Mix Up at Café Istanbul on October 22
- Kermit Ruffins: Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter and singer at the Royal Frenchmen Hotel on October 22
- Creole LLC: Featuring Louis Michot, Leyla McCalla, and Corey Ledet Zydeco at BJ’s Lounge
- Preservation Hall: Traditional New Orleans jazz continues throughout October, including Leroy Jones & The Preservation Jazz Masters and the Preservation Legacy Band on October 19
- Frenchmen Street: Local musicians thrive nightly, from pianist BC Coogan at Saturn Bar to the band Bon Bon Vivant at The Broadside
Looking ahead, the Brian Culbertson New Orleans Jazz Getaway is scheduled for March 14–15, 2026 at The Civic Theatre, featuring acclaimed jazz musicians like Brian Culbertson and Gerald Albright, promising another major celebration of the city’s musical heritage.
Tune In Tonight – What is Hip?! Radio Show
On tonight’s JamFest broadcast, What is Hip?! Radio Show celebrates the sounds of New Orleans like never before, exploring the roots of traditional jazz, the infectious bounce of Big Freedia, and the genre-spanning creativity of PJ Morton. Listeners will get an immersive journey through the city’s rich musical culture, from historic jazz halls to contemporary gospel and R&B innovation.
From the streets of the French Quarter to festival stages across the globe, New Orleans continues to shape the future of music. Tune in and experience it all, live, on JamFest tonight.