Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and bandleader Christian McBride joins us for a conversation ahead of his performance with Ursa Major at Orchestra Hall on Friday, June 5. Throughout the interview, McBride highlights some of the music and artists that have inspired him, including selections from Wynton Marsalis, Four Tops, Junior Walker, and The Temptations. 

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for June 4, 2026 

• “OSAKA” – Athletic Progression 

• “Kneel” – Nilüfer Yanya 

• “Midnight Sun (king krule Remix)” – Nilüfer Yanya & King Krule 

• “Life Has Its Trials” – Dorothy Ashby 

• “T.R.O.Y.” – Heroes Of Limbo 

• “Little Child Runnin’ Wild” – Curtis Mayfield 

• “Life Is Beautiful” – Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist 

• “Make You Feel That Way” – Blackalicious 

• “Drifting? (Pts. 1-8)” – ThirdEyeBeats 

• “Home is Where The Hatred Is (feat. Lisa Fischer) [Main]” – Brian Jackson, Masters At Work, Kenny Dope & Louie Vega 

• “People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul” – James Brown 

• “Autumn Leaves” – Wynton Marsalis 

• “More Is” – Christian McBride & Ursa Major 

• “Homecookin’” – Junior Walker 

• “Cloud Nine” – The Temptations 

• “Bernadette” – Four Tops 

• “Red Ashes” – Allen Dennard 

• “The Fool” – Brigid Dawson and The Mothers Network 

• “Anemone” – The Brian Jonestown Massacre 

• “Sketch for Summer” – The Durutti Column 

• “Planted A Thought” – Arthur Russell 

• “A Figure in the Surf” – Mount Kimbie 

• “I’LL BE YOUR FRIEND” – Ruti 

• “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + the Machine 

• “Sleeping Ute (Nicolas Jaar Remix)” – Grizzly Bear 

• “Everybody’s Gotta Live” – Love 

• “Fire and Brimstone” – Link Wray 

• “Zoom 97” – Kurt Vile 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org. 

This week on Visions, I celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm X, whose birthday is May 19. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was one of the most important books I ever read. And the fact that there are jazz songs about Malcolm X means many others were impacted by him, too.

You’ll hear Malcolm X related music from Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Terence Blanchard, Archie Shepp, Leon Thomas, Billy Brooks, and Christian McBride.

I also play music from Makaya McCraven, Alice Coltrane, Mal Waldron, Yusef Lateef, Geri Allen & The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Cecil McBee, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, and Abbey Lincoln.

The music about Malcolm in this episode is powerful, political, deeply spiritual, and raw. He may have been a controversial figure to some, but his impact is still present today.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for May 18, 2026

• “Malcolm X” – Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
• “Black Rhythm Happening” – Makaya McCraven
• “Malcolm Makes Hajj” – Terence Blanchard
• “Retribution” – Abbey Lincoln
• “A Love Supreme” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Elmina” – Donald Byrd*
• “Taurus” – Geri Allen* & The Mary Lou Williams Collective
• “Brother Malcolm” – Christian McBride
• “Symbiosis” – Mike Nock, Bennie Maupin*, Cecil McBee & Eddie Marshall
• “Al Hajj Malik Al Shabazz – For Malcolm X (Live)” – Billy Brooks
• “Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
• “Warp And Woof (feat. Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin)” – Mal Waldron
• “Malcolm’s Gone” – Leon Thomas
• “Port Of Call” – Cecil Taylor
• “Malcolm, Malcolm – Semper Malcolm” – Archie Shepp
• “Love Theme From Spartacus” – Yusef Lateef*
• “Springtime Again” –  Sun Ra

* indicates Detroit artists