Zia Tammami joined WLSU (660 AM) in May of 1977. He served as WLSU/WPRG Program Director, Chief Announcer, and Music Director. Mr. Tammami is the architect of Spontaneous Combustion, the International Show, Rock Archives Show, and the Blues Show, all of which currently run on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on LSU’s radio station, now KLSU.
During the past 37 years, Mr. Tammami worked at other public radio stations in both Lafayette and Baton Rouge. He has interviewed the following famous jazz, blues, and rock artists:
. Herbie Hancock . Mose Allison
. Henry Gray (Howlin’ Wolf) . Buddy Guy
. Tony Joe White . Wynton Marsalis
. Patrick Moraz (Moody Blues) . Ramsey Lewis
. Dr. Billy Taylor (jazz pianist) . “Warm Daddy” Wes Anderson
. Joe Sample (The Crusaders) . Flora Purim and Aierto
. Max Roach (Charlie Parker) . Henry Butler
. Professor Alvin Batiste . Big Luther Kent
. Astral Project . Kid Jordan
. Deacon John . Gil Scott Heron
. Betty Carter . Nat Adderley
. Raful Neal . Johnny Rivers
. Leo Kottkie . Kurt Elling
. Poncho Sanchez . Eddie Palmierie
. Dick LaPalm (Chess Records)
. E. Rodney Jones (legendary blues radio announcer)
In 2007, the Baton Rouge Blues Foundation and Baton Rouge mayor Kip Holden honored Mr. Tammami with the Ambassador Award. He was also featured in a 2007 French Television documentary about the status of Southeast Louisiana jazz musicians after Hurricane Katrina. Currently, Bruce Spiegel, CBS Director of “48 Hours Mystery”, is making a documentary about the jazz pianist legend, Bill Evans, and Zia Tammami will be featured in the documentary. Mr. Tammami is a professional hydrogeologist and practices environmental consulting for petrochemical industries in Baton Rouge and the surrounding area.
