Jax Anderson On Growing Up Religious, ‘Real Love,’ and Opening For T-Pain
Jax Anderson has been singing since she was a kid, but it wasn't always the kind of genre-bending pop that...
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.
Two of Detroit’s Finest Chefs Join Forces to Open “Pernoi”
The meaning of Pernoi is "for us". Chef Takashi Yagihashi captivated Metro Detroit diners when he opened Tribute in 1996, then...
Celebrating 35th Anniversary, Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense” Returns to the Detroit Film Theater
In 1984, the Detroit Film Theater was not known for screening concert films. But when its curator, Elliot Wilhelm, saw...
Documentarian Stanley Nelson Tells Miles Davis’ Story in “Birth of the Cool”
Acclaimed documentarian Stanley Nelson has unearthed never-before-seen footage of Miles Davis to tell the story of a musician who was...
Takoi Chef Brad Greenhill Opens His Second Restaurant, Magnet
18 months ago, Takoi Executive Chef Brad Greenhill talked with Essential Music host Ann Delisi about the plans for his...
Imagine Marcus Belgrave, Mike Banks and Matt Michaels Being Your Teachers. Pianist Jon Dixon Learned From the Best
Jon Dixon grew up in one of Detroit's toughest neighborhoods and decided that music would be the focus of his life,...
The Beatles’ “Abbey Road” Turns 50
Abbey Road brought The Beatles together one last time for the creation of "Abbey Road", their eleventh album which was...
The Band That Inspired Chef James Rigato to Name His Restaurant Is Now Inspiring Him to Make a Short Film
Morganeve Swain comes to The Willis Show Bar with her band, The Huntress and the Holder of Hands on October...
When WDET Played New Wave Radio and Detroit Listened
Before the Electrifying Mojo was playing artists like Kraftwerk and New Wave, they had a home on WDET. It was...
Local Musician Ryan Neal Releases EP Produced in Solitude in Nova Scotia
Local musician Ryan Neal took a roundabout path to producing music. "I was into sports before, was the first thing...
Remembering Jeff Buckley’s Masterpiece “Grace,” Turning 25 This Year
When Columbia Records signed Jeff Buckley to a record deal, he was performing cover songs at a small Irish club in...
Jessica Hernandez Talks Motherhood, Previewing Next Chapter in Career
Jessica Hernandez is a Detroit musician with a long history in the area. She took time off recently from the...