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In A Mellow Tone
Join your hosts Natalie McGrath, Ian Mackenzie, Heavy Ben and/or Ron Steeds & Jim Reil for 2 hours of great jazz.
Hosted by: Heavy Ben, Natalie McGrath and Ian Mackenzie
Airs: Every Wednesday from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Coming up at 9:00 PM on April 15th, 2026:
Tonight Jim and Ron feature two outstanding--and very different--piano trio recordings, the first led by Marilyn Crispell and the second by Richie Beirach.

In A Mellow Tone

Date Host Highlight On Demand
Apr. 15, 2026 Jim Reil and Ron Steeds Classic piano trio records led by Marilyn Crispell and Richie Beirach
Apr. 8, 2026 Heavy Ben Devin Brahja Waldman
available
Apr. 1, 2026 Ian M New releases from the archives, 2026 part 1 (Yusef Lateef, Mal Waldron, John Taylor, Art Pepper and others)
available
Mar. 25, 2026 Heavy Ben Cecil Taylor and "88 tuned drums"
available
Mar. 18, 2026 Ron Steeds & Jim Reil All About March 18 And The 1990's
available
Mar. 11, 2026 Ron Steeds RIP Michel Portal
available
Mar. 4, 2026 Ian M Listen Before You Buy or Stream - reviving an In A Mellow Tone feature to celebrate the show's 50th Anniversary
available

IN A MELLOW TONE INTRODUCES LISTENERS TO THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF JAZZ, FROM ITS BEGINNINGS TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS. THE HOSTS DRAW ON THEIR LARGE PERSONAL CD AND LP COLLECTIONS TO SUPPLEMENT CKCU'S EXTENSIVE RESOURCES.

IN A MELLOW TONE was created and hosted by Ron Sweetman until he retired from radio in Septermber 2015. The program has been a weekly fixture on CKCU-FM 93.1 since May 1976. He was a founder member of L’Atelier de Musique Experimentale (1972), Jazz Ottawa (1976), and Music Now (1997). He wrote for CODA magazine and was a member of the Down Beat International Critics Poll.

IN A MELLOW TONE is now hosted by a rotating collective of jazz zealots including Natalie McGrath,  Heavy Ben, Ian M. and Ron Steeds & Jim Reil, plus occasional guest hosts. They intend on taking IAMT forward with the high standards of broadcasting that Ron Sweetman established for decades.

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