The Ultimate New Orleans, Louisiana, Road Trip Playlist

Sara Boboltz
Updated
(Photo: HuffPost)
(Photo: HuffPost)

Spotify has curated playlists reflecting the local flavor of each stop on HuffPost’s “Listen to America” tour using location-based data to find out what people are really listening to in 20-plus cities. Check back for more from Sept. 12 through Oct. 30.

One of Louisiana’s first governors once apparently commented all the way back in the early 19th century that New Orleans residents were practically ungovernable because they liked to dance too much. So how would he have reacted to the city’s love affair with jazz and big band music is fun to imagine. This swampy Deep South town is home to a number of old-school musicians in that ilk, including the band leader Dr. John, pioneering jazz clarinetist Sidney Bechet and trumpeter Kermit Ruffins. Louis Armstrong got his start here before taking on the world, as did Harry Connick Jr. and rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Fats Domino, who died earlier this week. The ’70s-era funk groups The Meters and The Neville Brothers came out of New Orleans and, a couple decades later, rappers Lil Wayne and Master P, among others.

More than elsewhere around the country, New Orleanians have been particularly fond of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “Louisiana Rain” lately, according to Spotify. Other favorites around here include local “groove-oriented jam band” The Revivalists, soul singer Leon Bridges and, in a fun surprise for “American Horror Story” fans, Stevie Nicks. Catch the full list below:

Spotify playlists for the “Listen to America” campaign were created by looking at each location’s most popular songs (streaming in the highest numbers at time of publication), distinctive songs (currently being streamed more in this city compared to all other cities in the world) and tracks from local artists. While many picks are data-driven, some songs are handpicked from data lists to assure the playlists reflect a variety of genres and decades, as well as a healthy gender balance.

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Also on HuffPost

The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of Ratliff Stadium during a visit to Odessa, Texas, on Oct. 25, 2017, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country. (Photo by Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) *** Local Caption ***
The HuffPost tour bus sits in front of Ratliff Stadium during a visit to Odessa, Texas, on Oct. 25, 2017, as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country. (Photo by Damon Dahlen/HuffPost) *** Local Caption ***
Lars Thorn signs up university students to be interviewed.
Lars Thorn signs up university students to be interviewed.
Marisa Borrego, Shaneka Gillespie and Priyanka Dhakal sign up to be interviewed.
Marisa Borrego, Shaneka Gillespie and Priyanka Dhakal sign up to be interviewed.
Brad Cowgill fills out the slate during HuffPost's visit to Odessa, Texas.
Brad Cowgill fills out the slate during HuffPost's visit to Odessa, Texas.
Lauren Marenco and Shaneka Gillespie talk to reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed.
Lauren Marenco and Shaneka Gillespie talk to reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed.
The "Listen To America" bus is set up during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
The "Listen To America" bus is set up during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
HuffPost's Jen Kho is interviewed by television station KMID in Odessa.
HuffPost's Jen Kho is interviewed by television station KMID in Odessa.
A sign outside of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute reads "Welcome HuffPost Listen To America Tour."
A sign outside of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute reads "Welcome HuffPost Listen To America Tour."
People wait to be interviewed at the "Listen To America" tents.
People wait to be interviewed at the "Listen To America" tents.
Carl Bailey is interviewed by Jen Kho.
Carl Bailey is interviewed by Jen Kho.
Interviewees sit in tents during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Interviewees sit in tents during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Rachel Elman checks her phone during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Rachel Elman checks her phone during HuffPost's visit to Odessa.
Moderator Louise Roug, along with participants Shaneka Gillespie, Arslan Rozyyev, Jefember Villela, Petra Reyes and Bernadette Adkins take part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin on Oct. 25, 2017. HuffPost is visiting the city as part of "Listen To America: A HuffPost Road Trip." HuffPost will visit more than 20 cities on its tour across the country.
Petra Reyes takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Petra Reyes takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Arslan Rozyyev talks to students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Arslan Rozyyev talks to students at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Audience members listen to a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Student Activity Center.
Audience members listen to a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin Student Activity Center.
Bernadette Adkins takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Bernadette Adkins takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Shaneka Gillespie answers questions from moderator Louise Roug.
Shaneka Gillespie answers questions from moderator Louise Roug.
Jefember Villela takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
Jefember Villela takes part in a talk at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.
The tour bus makes its way through some rural Texas roads as the sun sets.
The tour bus makes its way through some rural Texas roads as the sun sets.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.