Don Was and Wayne Kramer Talk About How They Met, Wayne Kramer’s New Book, and Aretha Franklin
Don Was and Wayne Kramer were in Detroit for performances at The Ann Arbor Blues Festival with John Sinclair and...
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.
She de Cuisine: Women Chefs Creating Positive Kitchen Culture
Ann Delisi talks with Detroit native, Chef Elle Simone, whose professional life in Detroit was as a social worker, but...
Esperanza Spalding and Terri Lyne Carrington Perform at the 39th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival
Bassist Esperanza Spalding and drummer, Terri Lyne Carrington, have a lively and introspective conversation with Essential Music Host, Ann Delisi, as...
Detroit Production Company, Paxahau, Marks Its 20th Anniversary at Bert’s Warehouse on September 8th.
Essential Music Host, Ann Delisi talks with Paxahau founders, Jason Huvaere and Jason Clark as they look back on their humble...
Wayne Kramer Talks About His Memoir “The Hard Stuff: Dope, Crime, The MC5, and My Life of Impossibilities”
Wayne Kramer talks with Ann Delisi about the criminal justice system, being self-obsessed and ultimately finding his way to selflessness and...
Detroit Songwriter and Storyteller Emily Rose Releases a New Album, “Wake Up Brave”
Emily Rose performs songs from "Wake Up Brave" and has a lively chat with Essential Music Host, Ann Delisi, about waiting...
The Delectable Pie-Making Secrets of Detroit Bakery, Sister Pie, Will Be Revealed in a New Cookbook
Lisa Ludwinski talks with Ann Delisi about why she landed in West Village, the first thing she baked in the...
Detroit Jazz/Soul Singer, Kathy Kosins New Album “Uncovered Soul” Reaches European Audiences
Kathy Kosins talks with Ann Delisi about how she started singing in Detroit as a backup singer for Was (Not...
Singer Songwriter Lissie Talks About Her New Album “Castles”
Lissie plays songs from her new album "Castles", talks with Ann Delisi about learning some important lessons, life on her farm...
Detroit Saxophonist Dave McMurray Releases New Album “Music is Life” on Blue Note Records
In this interview with Essential Music host Ann Delisi, Dave McMurray talks about the early days of Was (Not Was)...
Jeff Buckley’s Tour Manager Discusses His New Book “Jeff Buckley, from Hallelujah to The Last GoodBye”
Essential Music host, Ann Delisi, talks with author Dave Lory about this new book, his first meeting with Jeff Buckley...
Detroit Singer/Songwriter Holly Bernt Releases “Lightening on the Vine” and Performs in WDET’s Studio A
Holly talks with Essential Music Host, Ann Delisi, about listening to hymns and gospel music growing up and what it...