Ann Delisi has been a part of the Detroit media landscape for more than 35 years. A Wayne State Music School grad and former WDET Music Host and Music Director (1983-1995), Ann returned to WDET in 2009 to host Essential Music, a program dedicated to exploring the history of music, creating a platform for Detroit musicians, discovering new music and listening to what is next on the musical horizon. As a broadcaster, music host and storyteller, Ann creates features that highlight iconic artists, landmark albums and has curated hundreds of shows. As an interviewer, she's talked with everyone from David Bowie to White House Photographer Pete Souza to Iggy Pop and her curiosity about the creative spirit led to the podcast series, Essential Conversations. Her passion for food and those who make it led to another podcast/broadcast, Essential Cooking, with her co-host, award-winning chef, James Rigato.

She is an accomplished voiceover talent and for 5 years, Ann hosted the Detroit Public Television program, Backstage Pass, a weekly arts and culture program highlighting Detroit's artistic community. She has donated her time to working with The Greening of Detroit, Karmanos Cancer Institute and other Detroit non-profits.

Ann Delisi talks with Flint Eastwood lead singer Jax Anderson

Days before their performance in the lobby of Detroit's Historic Fisher Building, Flint Eastwood lead singer Jax Anderson talked with Ann Delisi...

2017 Restaurant of the Year and Top 10 New Restaurants in Detroit [MAP]

With its constantly changing menu featuring fresh, local foods, Mabel Gray is the 2017 Detroit Free Press Restaurant of the Year....

Interview with Humorist Mo Rocca on Essential Music

  Ann Delisi talks with humorist, writer and actor Mo Rocca about Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Jon Stewart, U.S. Presidents, food...

Ann Delisi LIVE from Shinola in Detroit

WDET is excited to broadcast live from Shinola with Ann Delisi on Saturday, January 14th from 11am to  2pm. We’ll...

The Essential Conversation: WDET’s Ann Delisi with Photographer Leni Sinclair (Part 1)

Cybelle Codish, Photographer  "I may not have much money, but I feel wealthy beyond measure." --Leni Sinclair In June, Leni...

The Essential Conversation: WDET’s Ann Delisi with Photographer Leni Sinclair (Part 2)

Cybelle Codish, Photographer "I would never call what we did in the Sixties a revolution. I know what a real...

The Essential Conversation: WDET’s Ann Delisi with Photographer Leni Sinclair (Part 3)

  Cybelle Codish, Photographer  "I would never want to move away from Detroit again... I belong to Detroit and Detroit...

The Essential Conversation: WDET’s Ann Delisi with Photographer Leni Sinclair (Part 4 )

In June, Leni Sinclair sat down with WDET's Ann Delisi at the Kresge Foundation to talk about her life.  From...

Ann Delisi Interviews Iggy Pop and Jim Jarmusch

On October 25, 2016, The Detroit Film Theater premiered “Gimme Danger”, the new documentary about The Stooges, one of music’s...

Film to Document Origin of Creem Magazine in Detroit’s Cass Corridor

  Creem magazine writer and current Detroit News reporter Susan Whitall and former Creem editor Bill Holdship join Ann Delisi...

Culinary Remix: Chef James Rigato

  Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato talk about Sade, squabs, the Motown sound and how less is best when...

Interview: Barrett Strong Talks About the Early Days of Motown

Public Domain   Motown Legend, Barrett Strong, celebrates his 75th birthday and talks with Ann Delisi about the early days...