This holiday season we’ve got a whole lotta love for you, Detroit! 

Beginning Thursday, Dec. 25 and each weekday until Friday, Jan. 2, get immersed in a master class of jazz history as we pre-empt The Metro and In the Groove to bring you encore broadcasts of Ed Love’s Evolution of Jazz from 10.am. to 3 p.m. 

It’s a chance to hear the story of jazz the way only Ed Love can tell it, with the depth, passion, and insight he’s famous for.

Put some Love in your holiday season – only on WDET Detroit Public Radio!

Tune in at 101.9 FM or stream at wdet.org to hear rebroadcasts of Ed Love’s Evolution of Jazz.

The recently returned host of Visions, Kaleigh Wilder brings excitement and a broad-spanning perspective to the best of jazz. Always exploring different facets of the genre with a discerning and admiring ear, Kaleigh brings listeners a finely-tuned list of new artists to watch for and re-released favorites from 2025.

Looking back at 2025, she says:

“One of the things that had me excited all year, really since March, was the fact that Strata East Records was reissuing their catalog in partnership with Mack Avenue Records. I can now go to Bandcamp and buy music whereas before I could maybe find on YouTube or had to own a physical record to listen to it. I know a lot of that music was from the 70’s and 80’s, but a 2025 re-release has been a high point of my music listening this year.

“I was also really energized by Cecile McLorin Salvant’s new record, “Oh Snap,” because it’s so different than her other work. The album isn’t one she intended to release, just a passion project to spark new ways of creating where she used effects and tools she never used before. I’m so glad she released it! It’s really refreshing to hear her in this new context.”

Check out Kaleigh’s full Best of 2025 playlist below, and listen to In The Groove to hear her selections.

• “How You Been” – SML

• “Bishop” – Anna Butterss

• “Brilliant Circles”- Charles Tolliver & Stanley Cowell

• “Footprints” – ARTEMIS

• “FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE” – Kassa Overall

• “Guereh” – Noura Mint Seymali

• “Eureka” – Cecile McLorin Salvant

• “Unconditional Love” – Milena Casado

Tune in for reairs of In The Groove: Best Of 2025 Dec. 22-24 on 101.9 FM and stream on wdet.org — and follow along online for Best Of playlists and reflections from our music hosts.

See the Best of 2025 playlists »

Every year, legendary jazz broadcaster Ed Love (host of Destination Jazz: The Ed Love Program on 101.9 WDET Sundays 5–7 p.m.) curates a list of recently-released recordings that he considers required listening for today’s jazz lovers.

This year’s list features 166 “CDs” from around the world, from France with Michel Petrucciani’s ‘Jazz Club Montmartre’ to right here in Detroit with the compilation album ‘Strata-East: The Legacy Begins.’

Use the table below to check out Ed Love’s highly recommended new CDs for 2025.

On this episode of Visions and in typical fashion, I head all over the musical map with my selections.

This week features classic cuts from John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Curtis Fuller, and Detroit’s Barry Harris. I also feature newer releases from Esthesis Quartet, Heat On, Brandee Younger, and Detroit’s Louis Jones III and William Hill III.

I venture slightly into the avant-garde with Eric Dolphy and Marion Brown. And finally, a great track from Roy Hargrove featuring Wynton Marsalis.

There are a few others in the mix, but with music spanning from the 1960’s to the 2020’s, there’s something in here for everyone to enjoy.

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 Dec. 15, 2025

• “‘Snuff” – Jackie McLean
• “Black Bath” – Curtis Fuller
• “Mr. Day” – John Coltrane
• “Country Boy” – John Lee Hooker
• “Breaking Point” – Brandee Younger
• “Stay the Course” – William Hill III*
• “Horace Silver” – The New York Bass Violin Choir & Bill Lee
• “Nicaragua” – The Barry Harris* Sextet
• “Homestretch” – Joe Henderson
• “Peek-A-Boo” – Louis Jones III*
• “Ace of Pentacles” – Esthesis Quartet
• “Bye-Ya” – Carmen Staaf
• “Gazzelloni” – Eric Dolphy
• “West India” – Marion Brown
• “Nostalgia” – Roy Hargrove
• “Rimrock” – Heat On
• “Feed the Fire (feat. esperanza spalding & Karriem Riggins*)[Bonus Track]” – Nicholas Payton

*indicates Detroit artists

Celebrating the birthday of Detroit jazz legend Dr. Donald Byrd, plus the 60th anniversary of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which gave us the greatest Christmas music of all time via Vince Guaraldi Trio (really loved this article giving background to how this special came together, thanks to Cola-Cola and sparse jazz). On top of all that, new music from Momoko Gill, Georgie Sweet, Gerald Clayton, Adrian Sherwood, SOYUZ and more.

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 December 9, 2025

• “2close2farr” – Momoko Gill
• “All That We Were” – Georgie Sweet
• “Into Harmony (feat. Julia Biel)” – Hector Plimmer
• “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Linus and Lucy” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Cinnamon Sugar” – Gerald Clayton
• “Garden of Inspiration” – Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge & Speakers Corner Quartet
• “Coltrane (Crooked Man Remix)” – Cymande
• “Not Dead Yet” – Lord Huron
• “I’d Have To Be Crazy” – Willie Nelson
• “A Bowl And A Pudding” – Wilco
• “Across The Universe” – Fiona Apple
• “Foolish Fool” – Dee Dee Warrick
• “Tomorrow (feat. Raheem DeVaughn)” – The Roots
• “17 Days (Piano & a Microphone 1983 Version)” – Prince
• “Alien (Hold On to Your Dreams)” – Gil Scott Heron
• “Billy Jack” – Curtis Mayfield
• “Someone I Know” – Margo Guryan
• “So Nice (Summer Samba) [Azari & III Remix]” – Astrud Gilberto & Walter Wanderley Trio
• “Roller Coaster” – Brijean
• “Closer” – Maria Chiara Argirò
• “Road To Self (KO)” – Kamasi Washington
• “Cristo Redentor” – Donald Byrd
• “Wind Parade” – Donald Byrd
• “Black Byrd” – Donald Byrd
• “P7 Blues” – SOYUZ
• “Plasty” – LL Burns
• “Canopy” – Resavoir & Matt Gold
• “I Couldn’t Love You More (Jam Master’s Deep Rework)” – Sade
• “Rush” – Gerald Clayton
• “Xoxoxo” – corto.alto
• “My Little Drum” – Vince Guaraldi Trio
• “Skating” – Vince Guaraldi Trio

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.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Hunkering down at home is tempting as temperatures drop and snow falls, but there are experiences worth braving the weather—at least for a moment.

Keep out the chill with moving musical performances, comedy, and more in metro Detroit.

Upcoming events

Holiday Cabaret

Detroit Public Theatre

  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 21

  $52 

A holiday season celebration crafted with wit and rowdy charm! An ongoing tradition, the Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret features talented vocalists and adult humor. This weekend, Dec. 4-7 is the time to catch the preview shows and the premiere. 

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village

  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 28

  $36-44

Take a walk through time and enjoy festivities at Greenfield Village. Carols, roasted chestnuts, artisan crafts, ice skating and Model-T rides will get the whole family in the holiday spirit while immersing them in history.

Paradise Jazz: Malcolm X Jazz Suite

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $21+

Terence Blanchard and his band The E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet reprise his Malcom X Jazz Suite. The initial suite modified Blanchard’s compositions for the 1992 film Malcom X, directed by Spike Lee, for live performance. After its evolutions over the years, Blanchard’s latest version offers audiences a new stirring experience. Performance begins at 8 p.m.

Variety Show

The Congregation Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $20 online (with fees), $25 at the door

A two-hour blend of burlesque, drag, comedy, and improv sure to entertain and delight! This event is hosted by Sarah Lynn and presented by Best Case Scenario Comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Bring cash for tipping performers. This event is 18 and up.

Killers, Freaks, and Radicals

Senate Theater in Detroit

  Friday, Dec. 5

  $12

Attend the Detroit premiere of a locally-produced true crime documentary on the Michigan Co-Ed Killer. The show opens with an organ overture, and Director Andrew Templeton will be present to discuss the film following the showing. 

Merry Midtown

Midtown Detroit

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  Free

In place of Noel Night, over 50 local businesses have organized a night to shop, dine and explore midtown. From 5-9 p.m., people of all ages are welcome to enjoy ice carving demonstration, live performances, photo booths and more

East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land

Music Hall Detroit

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  $67+

Explore another side of Christmas with National Arab Orchestra through a cultural blend of holiday music. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Joe Reilly and the All Nations Dancers: Welcome Winter

Detroit Institute of Arts

  Saturday, Dec. 6

  Free with general admission

The All Nations Dancers, representing the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes, celebrate winter and Mother Earth with songs performed by singer-songwriter Joe Reilly. The performance starts at 2 p.m. in the Riviera Court. While at the museum, check out the current exhibit Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation until April 5, 2026. 

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

Masonic Temple

  Saturday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 7

  $5

Shop for a variety of artisan and homemade goods from over 100 artists, including crocheted items, decor, soaps, journals, jewelry and more. Meet the makers and find presents for yourself and others from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Children 12 and under get free entry both days after 1 p.m.

On this episode of Visions, I play sounds from the now. In previous episodes, I played a lot of music from the 60’s and 70’s, but not many selections from recent decades. This episode highlights music almost exclusively from the 21st century.

You hear from Nubya Garcia, Kassa Overall, Terri Lyne Carrington, Detroit’s Geri Allen and Allen Dennard, and Tomeka Reid. I work one of my all time favorite artists, Meshell Ndegeocello, into the mix with her free-ish jazz record from 2005. And I explore my new music discoveries with Nala Sinephro, Nicola Conte, Joshua Moshe, and Gregory Groover Jr.

There are a few tracks from Terence Blanchard‘s “Malcolm X Jazz Suite” which is coming to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this Friday, Dec. 5. Blanchard worked on the soundtrack of Spike Lee’s 1992 film, “Malcolm X,” and reimagined the music as its own album which came out the following year. This Friday, Blanchard will play new arrangements from the record with an all new band. Happy listening!

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 Dec. 1, 2025

• “A Little Max (Parfait)” – Terri Lyne Carrington
• “Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
• “The Healer” – Joshua Moshe
• “Hastings Street” – Allen Dennard*
• “Odyssey” – Nubya Garcia
• “C.R.E.A.M. (CASH RULES EVERYTHING AROUND ME)” – Kassa Overall
• “Papillon (feat. Matthew Garrison, Federico Gonzalez Pena & Kenny Garrett)” – Meshell Ndegeocello
• “Malcolm Makes Hajj” – Terence Blanchard
• “All Blues” – Mary Lou Williams
• “Go for Broke (feat. Joel Ross, Paul Cornish, Harish Raghavan & Kendrick Scott)” – Gregory Groover Jr.
• “Space 4” – Nala Sinephro
• “Home Grown” – Geri Allen*
• “The Nation” – Terence Blanchard
• “Life Forces” – Nicola Conte
• “Wabash Blues (feat. Tomeka Reid, Mary Halvorson, Tomas Fujiwara & Jason Roebke)” – Tomeka Reid Quartet
• “The Thump (Live)” – Marquis Hill

*Indicates Detroit artists

If you want to understand where the soul-revival movement really lives, you have to look past the big coasts and into the Rustbelt. Detroit is a place where factory sirens and church organs have always shared the same air. It is the city that raised Aretha, Marvin, Stevie and Parliament-Funkadelic, and it keeps producing singers who treat soul music as a calling, not a costume.

Laura Rain is very much in that lineage. Before she ever cut a record under her own name, she did her time in the musical trenches in Detroit and Los Angeles clubs, learning to project over clinking glasses, loud conversations and indifferent sound systems.

In 2012, she met guitarist, producer and fellow music historian George Friend, and the chemistry was immediate. Within a week they were writing together, building a band around a lean, organ-driven trio format that merged Memphis soul, juke-joint blues, tough Detroit funk and R&B.

Under the banner Laura Rain & The Caesars, they went from Motor City bars to the international soul circuit: five full-length albums, a run of 45s and digital singles, heavy touring across more than 25 states plus Canada and Europe, and steady rotation on BBC, NPR and CBC networks. Along the way, they picked up Detroit Music Awards in both blues and urban categories, proof that their sound sits comfortably at the crossroads of soul, blues and R&B rather than in any one lane.

What makes their story compelling is not just the retro flavor, but the work ethic and intent behind it. The five tracks we will explore trace that arc: from a raw debut statement to UK crossover appeal, to tracks that double as Detroit-style soul anthems that shows they are still pushing forward. Let’s get into five songs that define Laura Rain & The Caesars.

5 Essential Tracks by Laura Rain & The Caesars

1. “I Don’t Wanna Play”(Electrified – 2013)

We start at the beginning, with “I Don’t Wanna Play” from their 2013 debut album “Electrified.”

This was the record that introduced Laura Rain & The Caesars to the wider soul world: a stripped-down lineup of organ, guitar and drums that captured the feel of a late-night neighborhood bar where the band is playing for keeps.

This track sets out their mission statement. Laura’s vocals are all grit and control, equal parts gospel testifying and blues shout, while George Friend’s guitar laces the groove with stinging fills that nod to Chicago and Memphis without ever sounding like imitation.

2. “Closer to the Win” (Single – 2021)

That was “Closer to the Win,” a track that would see success on UK soul charts and across digital media and help pave the way for their alliance with LRK records. That song also set the tone for the material that would end up on their 5th album, “Rise Again.”

The next track is built on a steady mid-tempo pulse, with horn accents and rich organ swells. This track highlights the core husband/wife partnership between Laura and George. Their writing combines her direct, emotionally honest lyric approach with his deep knowledge and dexterity of musically distilling blues, soul and jazz styles that is more about building a songbook that can withstand time and travel. Let’s check them out on the cut “I Am (Who I Want To Be).”

3.  “I Am (Who I Want to Be)” – Rise Again (2022)

That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “I Am (Who I Want to Be)” from their album Rise Again. We next move to the title track for that album, where the focus widens to include not just one singer’s journey, but the city that shaped her. This track plays as a love letter to Detroit itself, a city in the midst of its own rebuild and renaissance.

The arrangement is classic Caesar territory: driving drums, melodic bass, warm keys and guitar lines that mingle with Laura’s vocals, her voice tethered to the rhythm with a mix of urgency and assurance. Given their story, the song feels autobiographical. Since forming in 2012, Laura Rain & The Caesars have self-financed tours, hustled merch at the back of the room, been intentional in cultivating relationships and fostering belief in their music with DJs around the globe, and have steadily built a reputation strong enough to earn multiple Detroit Music Awards in both blues and R&B categories.

This track distills that hustle and grind into a sermon about persistence and hope. Let’s check it, here’s Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Rise Again.”

4. “Rise Again” (Rise Again – 2022)

That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Rise Again,” the centerpiece of their 2022 album of the same name. From a raw organ-trio debut to UK modern-soul 45s, from affirmations of self to anthems of resilience and late-period slow burners, Laura Rain & The Caesars embody what it means to be a working soul band in the twenty-first century. They write their own material, tour relentlessly, collaborate across genres and keep the focus on real instruments, melodies and thoughtful composition.

For our final track, we move to their most recent work, a single that shows how this band continues to evolve while staying rooted in its core sound. Here’s Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Feels So Right.”

5. “Feels So Right” (Single – 2024)

That was Laura Rain & The Caesars with “Feels So Right,” a recent chapter in a story that is still unfolding.

If this 5-on-5 has pulled you into their universe, be sure to check out more musical journeys into the artists who are shaping modern soul by keeping it locked on The Progressive Underground every Saturday evening at 6 on 101.9 WDET and wdet.org.

More from The Progressive Underground

On this episode of Visions, I expand how I usually think about jazz to include cuts I don’t typically play on the show. I venture into soul with artists like Tower of Power, Aretha Franklin, and Roberta Flack.

I also play a classic blues cut from Lightnin’ Hopkins, plus incredible organ players Charles Earlund and Richard “Groove” Holmes.

To me and many others, these artists are part of the same continuum that jazz falls on, which is Black Music. I’m hoping to continue expanding beyond just playing “jazz” and include Black Music more broadly!

On the more straight-ahead end of the jazz spectrum, I include cuts from Herbie Hancock, the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Rouse, Miles Davis, Larry Young, and a few others.

I hope you like the twists and turns this episode takes!

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 Nov. 24, 2025

• “Biafra” – Nat Adderely
• “Beyond All Limits” – Larry Young
• “Hey Harold (feat. Billy Hart)” – Bobby Hutcherson
• “Soul Vaccination” – Tower of Power
• “Bitchin'” – Charlie Rouse
• “Rock Steady” – Aretha Franklin*
• “Ostinato (Suite for Angela)” – Herbie Hancock
• “Yes Lord” – The Detroit Jazz Composers Ltd.*
• “To Love Somebody” – Roberta Flack
• “The Shadow of Your Smile” – Oscar Peterson
• “Misty” – Richard “Groove” Holmes
• “More Today Than Yesterday” – Charles Earlund
• “Woke Up This Morning” – Lightnin’ Hopkins
• “Compensation (Live at the Village Vanguard)” – The Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra
• “Freedom Jazz Dance (Evolution of the Groove)” – Miles Davis

*indicates Detroit artists

This week on Visions, I dug through my personal record crates to inspire the episode. Now, I don’t have an extensive collection, but what I found was a lot of 70’s jazz records. This led me to a show of almost entirely selections from the 70’s.

I’ve got Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones in a couple different contexts, Leon Thomas, Wendell Harrison, Cecil McBee, Lonnie Liston Smith, Armen Donelian, Miles Davis, and Pharoah Sanders. I also play a 2025 release from Chicago-based trio Hearts & Minds, and a brand new Blue Note release from Aaron Parks.

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 Nov. 17, 2025

• “Blues on the Bottom” – Cecil McBee
• “Illumination” – Hearts & Minds
• “Flys” – Jack DeJohnette’s Directions
• “One” – Leon Thomas
• “Peace” – Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes
• “Song of Happiness” – McCoy Tyner
• “Half and Half (feat. McCoy Tyner)” – Elvin Jones & Jimmy Garrison Sextet
• “My Ship (Live at the Lighthouse Café, CA.1972)” – Elvin Jones
• “Bob’s Blues” – Robert Hurst*
• “Parks Lope” – Aaron Parks
• “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today” – Kenny Burrell*
• “Monday” – Armen Donelian
• “My Favorite Things” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Little Church” – Miles Davis
• “Heavenese” – Wendell Harrison*
• “Astral Traveling” – Pharoah Sanders

* indicates Detroit artists

Hey, what’s going on, Detroit. Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week. This week’s feature comes from Swedish vocalist Yukimi, best known as the frontwoman and creative engine of the Gothenberg-based band Little Dragon.

Fresh off her solo debut “For You,” Yukimi follows up with a new EP titled “Yume,” which means dream in Japanese. It’s a genre-bending collection weaving together jazz, soul, electronic pop, hip hop, roots, and psychedelia across four immersive tracks.

We’re tuning into one of its standouts, a song that moves through love, loss, and renewal. Here’s Yukimi with “All Over Me,” and it’s my Pick of the Week.

That was Yukimi with “All Over Me,” from her recently released EP “Yume,” out now on Ninja Tune Records.

If you’re drawn to the deeper shades of acoustic soul and left-of-center sound, join us every Saturday evening at 6 p.m. for The Progressive Underground. We explore soul, nu-jazz, deep house, electronica, B-sides, and rare groove through a Detroit-centered, global lens.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. Until next time, stay inspired and keep grooving. Peace.

More from The Progressive Underground

On this episode of Visions, I journey through the decades from the late 50’s through 2025.

I was really excited to receive an advance copy of a new Griot Galaxy release. Now, if you know Griot Galaxy, you may be wondering how could they release something new? The recording isn’t new, but the release is.

This album was recorded live on WUOM in 1979, but it was just released by a Detroit label, Two Rooms Records. I was also really excited to play another incredible live recording, this time from Jackie McLean, so I built this episode around those two anchors.

I also played classics from Eddie Harris, Grant Green, Toots Thielemans and Lee Morgan; music from Detroit’s Robert Hurst and Russ Macklem; newer releases from Nicole Glover, Kahil El’Zabar, and Kris Davis; and new music discovery from Milena Casado and Amaro Freitas. As I tend to say, this episode is a little bit of a lot of things.

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 Nov. 10, 2025

• “Cyclical” (Live) – Jackie McLean
• “Fundamental Frequency (with Art Taylor, Kenny Drew, Pepper Adams & Wilbur Ware)” – Toots Thielemans
• “Let the Music Take Your Mind” (Live) – Grant Green
• “Ill Wind” – Lee Morgan
• “Bird Feathers” – Nicole Glover
• “Eddie Harris” – The Kahil El’Zabar Quartet
• “South Side” – Eddie Harris
• “Circles (feat. Val Jeanty)” – Milena Casado
• “Heavy-footed (feat. Johnathan Blake & Robert Hurst)” – Kris Davis Trio
• “Dona Eni” – Amaro Freitas
• “Osiris” – Griot Galaxy*
• “Mr. Anderson” – Russ Macklem*
• “Spanning (Live)” – Charles Tolliver
• “Bob’s Blues” – Robert Hurst*

What’s up, Detroit. Chris Campbell here with The Progressive Underground Pick of the Week.

This one comes from British electronic mainstay Jimpster, known offstage as Jamie Odell. He grew up in a musical household. His father is Roger Odell, the drummer from jazz-funk outfit Shakatak, and those early sessions around synths and tape machines set Jamie on his path.

Jimpster became a keys-first producer who could move a crowd and a studio with equal skill. He co-founded Freerange Records, carved a lane in deep house, and kept stretching into nu-jazz, ambient, and left-field electronica. The live-band approach in his sets gave the music extra lift and helped make him a go-to remixer for names like Coldcut, Kirk Degiorgio, Lamb, and Airto Moreira.

We dive back into his breakthrough album, “Messages from the Hub” with the cut “You Are.” Lush pads, a patient groove, and a melody that sneaks up on you makes it my Pick of the Week.

Catch Jimpster performing live alongside Detroit’s Sillygirlcarmen and Bruce Bailey on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the TV Lounge.

If ethereal electronica and nu-jazz hit your sweet spot, lock in every Saturday at 6 p.m. on 101.9 WDET and at wdet.org. We take a full-spectrum trip through electronica, nu-jazz, deep house, nu-funk, B-sides, and rare grooves.

For The Progressive Underground, I’m Chris Campbell. See you next time.

More from The Progressive Underground

On this episode of Visions, I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to return to the Detroit airwaves. I wouldn’t have a home to return to if it wasn’t for Sam Beaubien, Liz Warner and W. Kim Heron who hosted the show, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to come back without the full support of WDET. Thank you to everyone working behind the scenes and behind the mic to ensure that Visions remained resonant.

On my homecoming episode, I cover almost every decade from the 1960’s to the 2020’s. I feature music made right here in Detroit by Kasan Belgrave, Louis Jones III and the Detroit Experiment; take it back to the 60’s with selections from Charles Mingus (solo piano, no less!), Duke Ellington, and a Jimmy Smith organ trio; celebrate the late greats Chick Corea and Jack DeJohnette; highlight Geri Allen as a pianist in a trio with Charlie Haden and Paul Motian and also as a composer with her song “Unconditional Love,” recently released by Nicholas Payton, esperanza spalding and Karriem Riggins‘ newest trio.

If that weren’t enough, I also have new music discovery that I’ve been dying to play on the airwaves. First from a group called SML whose second album will be released Friday November 7 on International Anthem. I follow that with Mauritanian Griot and singer, Noura Mint Seymali, whose newest record also comes out Nov. 7. 

I won’t give everything away, so check out the full episode and enjoy what I’ve selected for you as I celebrate my return to radio, Visions, and WDET. 

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 Nov. 3, 2025

• “Down 4 the Cause” – Kasan Belgrave
• “Caravan” – Duke Ellington
• “Citadel” – Tony Williams
• “Moon Dance” – Chick Corea
• “Lonely Woman” – Charlie Haden & Paul Motian feat. Geri Allen
• “Motions” – Louis Jones III
• “Spontaneous” – Makaya McCraven
• “People Puttin People Through Changes” – Shamek Farrah & Sonelius Smith
• “I Can’t Get Started” – Charles Mingus
• “Oh No, Babe (feat. Kenny Burrell & Grady Tate)” – Jimmy Smith
• “Unconditional Love (feat. esperanza spalding & Karriem Riggins)” – Nicholas Payton
• “Taking Out the Trash” – SML
• “Guérah” – Noura Mint Seymali
• “Space Odyssey” – The Detroit Experiment

Darren Revell’s Big Sonic Heaven ruled Sunday night radio in Detroit for over 8 years, beginning in 1995. After leaving the airwaves, the show continued to develop a fervent international following of folks looking for shoegaze, dream pop, brit pop, trip hop, and electronic music with online streaming shows.

WDET is proud to introduce the next chapter in this groundbreaking program with a new weekly radio show every Sunday night from 9 p.m. to midnight. Darren will also be joining the on-air talent team as a support host.

Big Sonic Heaven will begin broadcasting on WDET this Sunday, November 16, at 9 p.m., replacing rebroadcasts of the Don Was Motor City Playlist and Sound Opinions.

More jazz on Saturday nights, and farewell to The New Music Show on WDET

WDET listeners will have more opportunity to enjoy Kaleigh Wilder’s Visions (Monday 8-10 p.m.), with rebroadcasts every Saturday night from 8-10 p.m. beginning November 15.

The New Music Show wrapped up a fantastic run of shows with its last broadcast on Saturday, November 8. We want to thank Shigeto for an amazing 19-month run on WDET.

Fans of the Don Was Motor City Playlist (Friday 8-10 p.m.) will now find an encore broadcast every Monday night from 10 p.m. to midnight (replacing the rebroadcast of Acoustic Café).

The Progressive Underground (Saturday 6-8 p.m.) with Chris Campbell rebroadcasts Wednesday nights, 10 p.m. to midnight.

Download our updated program schedule to see the new layout.

After taking time away to focus on her health, Kaleigh is doing great and ready to return to the music that inspires her and so many others. Starting Nov. 3, listeners can once again join her every Monday from 8 to 10 p.m. as she explores the vanguard of postmodern jazz from 1969 to today.

“I’m really excited to be coming back to Visions,” Kaleigh says. “It’s been a challenging recovery process, but knowing I’ll get to return to the airwaves and to my listeners is one of the things that kept me pushing through.”

Kaleigh’s perspective has always made Visions special. She created a space where listeners can hear jazz in new ways and connect through sound.

We’re also very grateful to Sam Beaubien, Liz Warner and Kim Heron for filling in during Kaleigh’s time away and keeping Visions on track.

Welcome back, Kaleigh. Monday nights just got wilder!

Listen to Visions on Monday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. 

New music discovery from El Michels Affair & Rogê, Women In Jazz & Rosa Brunello, Girls of the Internet, Blood Orange, Dijon, Georgie Sweet and more.

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 September 8, 2025

• “Super Strut” – Deodato
• “Mágica” – El Michels Affair & Rogê
• “Uno Bruno Uno” – Women In Jazz & Rosa Brunello
• “Carry Me Higher (Elite Mix) [10 Inch Version]” – The Blessed Madonna, Joy Anonymous & Danielle Ponder
• “Affirmations (feat. Anelisa Lamola) [Extended Mix]” – Girls of the Internet
• “Song For You (Mansionair Remix)” – Rhye
• “Mind Loaded (feat. Caroline Polachek, Lorde & Mustafa)” – Blood Orange
• “Vivid Light” – Blood Orange
• “YUKON” – Justin Bieber
• “Another Baby!” – Dijon
• “My Love” – Metronomy & Nourished by Time
• “Yeah Yeah” – Bubaza
• “Its My House (Special Disco Version)” – Risco Connection
• “La La La (Hard Version) Pt 1” – Segun Bucknor
• “Hard Times” – Baby Huey & The Baby Sitters
• “The Ones We Loved” – Georgie Sweet
• “Angles Mortz” – Nightbus
• “Sending All My Love Out” – Emerson
• “What Is Love” – Dee-Lite
• “Rearrange” – Sextile
• “Ankle Injuries” – Fujiya & Miyagi
• “Guess I’m Fallin In Love” – Spoon
• “Get Sun (feat. Arthur Verocai)” – Hiatus Kaiyote
• “Life Is Beautiful” – Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist
• “No Bad Vibes (feat. MARISA DARGAHI & Joe Webb)” – Bluewerks & DARGZ
• “Road To Nowhere” – Rogê
• “More Than A Woman (triple j Like A Version)” – Lazy Eyes
• “Constellation” – The Circling Sun
• “Rolling With A Planet (Vocal Mix)” – Ari Roze
• “Zannik” – Khaled Al Reigh
• “Illegal Hit” – Yttling Jazz
• “Ikuchi” – Jimi Tenor & Cold Diamond & Mink
• “Yègellé Tezeta” – Mulatu Astatke

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.

The Detroit Jazz Fest sets itself apart by being the largest free jazz festival in the world.

It’s not easy or cheap for a cultural institution to be able to give it all away for free. Getting rid of any barrier of entry, however, ensures that this festival actually looks and feels like Detroit. That’s a big issue in a majority Black city that often struggles to represent itself via arts, culture and media.

The 2025 edition of the festival will feature major names performing like Keyon Harrold, Kenny Barron, Endea Owens, Chucho Valdes, Branford Marsalis, John Scofield and many more.

This year’s artist-in-residence is a big deal, too. That’s Jason Moran, an accomplished pianist, educator and composer who currently serves as the artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center. He’s racked up 18 solo releases via jazz stalwart labels like Blue Note.

During his residency with the fest, he’ll perform three varied sets over Labor Day weekend, including a tribute for Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday, an opening night set with techno pioneer Jeff Mills and Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore, and more. You can see the full schedule here.

Earlier this year, Jason Moran joined In The Groove to chat about the Detroit Jazz Festival, his influences (including the late great Detroit pianist Geri Allen) and more. 

Click the audio above to hear that full interview.