BAYOU BLUE RADIO — PRESS KIT 2025 – 2026
From France to Austin, Texas — Where Independence Becomes Identity
1. OVERVIEW
Bayou Blue Radio is an independent, artist-driven jazz radio station and editorial platform, founded in France and now fully based in Austin, Texas (USA).
Born from a desire to support creative music without compromise, the station relocated to the United States to embrace a wider artistic freedom and to engage directly with one of the most vibrant musical communities in the world.
Today, Bayou Blue Radio stands at the crossroads of European sensitivity and American openness, offering a distinctive voice in the international jazz landscape.
2. ORIGINS & TRANSFORMATION
Bayou Blue Radio emerged in France with a simple ambition:
to showcase jazz in all its contemporary forms, free from commercial formats and institutional constraints.
As the project grew, its editorial vision demanded more space, more independence, and more direct access to the international scene.
This led to a bold and definitive relocation to Austin, Texas, a city that embodies musical diversity, experimentation, and cultural vitality.
The move strengthened the radio’s mission:
- to curate music with complete independence,
- to amplify emerging voices from both sides of the Atlantic,
- and to build a platform dedicated to artistic authenticity.
3. LEADERSHIP
Bayou Blue Radio is co-directed by two complementary figures whose backgrounds shape the station’s editorial and artistic direction:
Thierry De Clemensat
Journalist, producer, writer
Based in Austin, Thierry brings decades of experience in music journalism, with a particular focus on jazz and innovative international scenes.
His editorial vision combines depth, curiosity, literary sensibility, and a genuine commitment to highlighting artists who push boundaries.
Ilene Martinez
Artist, singer, composer
Known for her folk/jazz albums Reasons and Plume, Ilene contributes the perspective of a working artist—rooted in authenticity, musicality, and an intimate understanding of the creative process.
Her artistic intuition shapes the station’s sonic identity and ensures a direct connection between creators and listeners.
Together, they form a bicultural leadership that blends journalism with artistry, structure with intuition, and European roots with American openness.
4. EDITORIAL MISSION
Bayou Blue Radio is dedicated to:
- Contemporary Jazz & Creative Music
From American innovators to European newcomers, the station champions artists who explore, push, and reinvent the language of jazz. - Independent Labels & Emerging Artists
Special attention is given to projects often overlooked by mainstream outlets. - Curated Programming — Not Algorithmic Rotation
Every track, every feature, every editorial piece is hand-selected.
No automated playlists. No commercial pressure. - Transatlantic Dialogue
The station offers an ongoing conversation between U.S. and European jazz scenes, reflecting the global nature of today’s music. - Editorial Freedom
Relocating to Texas enabled a broader, freer environment for publishing in-depth reviews, essays, and long-form criticism.
5. PROGRAMMING & CONTENT
Radio Programming
- Contemporary jazz selections
- Thematic playlists and artist features
- Special focus on new releases
- Spotlight on international scenes
Editorial Content
Published from Austin, Texas, Bayou Blue’s articles and reviews:
- highlight essential new albums,
- offer cultural insight,
- promote independent artists,
- and preserve a strong narrative voice.
Indispensables Selection
A distinctive feature of Bayou Blue Radio:
a curated list of albums considered essential listening — selected solely on artistic merit.
6. WHY AUSTIN?
Relocating from France to Austin was a deliberate artistic choice.
Austin offers:
- A thriving jazz and creative music ecosystem,
- Direct access to U.S. musicians, labels, and live scenes,
- A culture of independence perfectly aligned with the station’s values,
- A community open to experimentation and innovation.
This environment allows Bayou Blue Radio to operate with the freedom and vitality necessary for its international mission.
7. IDENTITY & VALUES
- Independence: No corporate influence, no formatting.
- Authenticity: A genuine commitment to artists.
- Discovery: Bringing new voices to the forefront.
- Cultural Bridge: Linking French origins to American dynamism.
- Quality First: Editorial depth over trends.
8. TAGLINE
Bayou Blue Radio — From France to Austin, Texas. Where independence becomes identity.
9. CONTACT
Bayou Blue Radio
Austin, Texas, USA
Media Contact
Only CDs or LPs are accepted for jazz album submissions; we do not respond to submissions via download.
bayoublueradio@gmail.com
Press review (day & Night) everyday
Editorial, every month
Jazz review s on Paris-Move – English+French